Raymond Cielo, age 77 of Wayne passed Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

He was born in Paterson to Frank and Lena Cielo and raised at the family home located at 48 Vreeland Avenue in Clifton. He attended St Pauls Grammar School in Clifton and graduated from Don Bosco Technical School in Paterson He also attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck.

As a young man he lifeguarded at the Clifton Pool then known as Bellini’s Pool. He later worked as a helper at Joe’s Butcher Shop in Clifton before enlisting in the United States Navy having served aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Intrepid.  Aboard ship he applied his artistic abilities and did artwork for “The Press” which was an onboard newsletter. After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy Raymond found work pasting billboards for the Glendale Company in Fairfield. After working as a designer for the Dimensional Communications Company in Northvale  he started his own business, Doyle Delta Designs which was a trade show exhibit design and fabrication company in Paterson.  Raymond ran the company for over thirty years before retiring in 2002.

Raymond will be remembered for his great sense of humor and strong Catholic faith. He was a dedicated parishioner of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Wayne for many years.  He loved painting in water colors and oils, hunting in Pennsylvania, and trout fishing in New Jersey.

Ada (nee Gambuti) was born in Guardia Sanframondi, Italy.  She met her husband Raymond there while he was serving in the U.S. Navy.  Of course, their initial meeting was a little awkward, as Ray could not speak Italian, and Ada didn’t know any English.  When Ray returned to the States, they corresponded by letter with Ada’s cousin providing translation.  Eventually, Ada came to America in June of 1961 and they were married December 10 that same year.  Ada’s wedding pictures show a sad bride, someone who, at the time, was unaware of the great happiness and joy that would eventually define her marriage.  She and Ray shared a love and devotion that few people ever enjoy.  When Ray retired, he told everyone that he planned to spend all his time with his wife.  They were inseparable and did everything together during the fifty five years since Ada landed on the shores of America.  During those years, they enjoyed a great deal of travel together, having toured most of Europe, several visits to Italy, Australia, Hawaii, South America, and the Caribbean Islands.  Summer vacations to Wildwood were particularly memorable for her two children.

After their honeymoon to Miami Beach, Ada and Ray settled into a home in Clifton and then soon built a new home right next door to Ray’s parents in Clifton.  They had sort of a ‘family compound’ with Ray’s uncle living in a neighboring house as well.  Ada was very ‘house proud’ and her home was always spotless.  Wherever family was, she was happiest and many of their activities were based around family.  Sunday was particularly special with dinner at Ada’s.  Typically more than ten people gathered at her table and there was never a shortage of food.  She was a fantastic cook.  Ada preferred to cook as often as possible and it took a bit of negotiating to get her to go to restaurants on holidays. The only holidays she would eat out on were Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday.  

Raymond was predeceased by his loving wife of fifty-five years, Ada (Gambuti) Cielo, in July of 2016; he was the devoted father of Patricia Zarpaylic and her husband Larry of West Milford, and Raymond Cielo and his wife Lisse of Woodland Park; he was the cherished grandfather of Brianna and Gabriella Cielo, L.J. Zarpaylic and Caprese Zarpaylic and her fiance Daryl; dear brother of Frank Cielo of Clifton and the late Robert Cielo and his surviving wife Edith of Toms River; loved brother in law of Lina DiLonardo of Clifton; loved uncle of many loving nieces and nephews.