Obituaries

Raymond P. Nemetz of The Villages, Florida, and Bear Creek Township, passed away Thursday morning at home surrounded by his loving family following a sudden and brief illness.
An Old Forge native, Ray was born to the late Michael and Adeline Nemetz on February 21, 1952. He graduated from Old Forge High School in June of 1969 at age 17 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served his beloved country at New River and Cherry Point Air Stations in North Carolina, as well as DaNang Air Base in Vietnam, ending his service to our country as Sargeant with an Honorable Discharge.
Upon returning to civilian life, Ray went to college on the GI Bill and graduated with honors from Lackawanna College, where he served as President of the Veteran’s Club. College is also where he met the love of his life, Joyce, with whom he lived more than 42 happy years.
Ray entered the Graphic Arts industry upon graduation and worked as Production Manager at Suburban Publishers in West Pittston and Vice President of Art Print Company in Taylor. He is founder and CEO of his family’s business, PGi Promotions, Inc. as well as CFO of another family business, The Embroidery Factory, Pittston.
Ray was an avid golfer and longtime member of Fox Hill Country Club, Exeter, where he served on the Board of Directors. In 2011 Ray and Joyce moved to The Villages, Fl., where he began his new career – Senior Softball. He played competitive softball three days each week in The Villages Rec. League, Division III. He batted .600 his last season and had been drafted several seasons as an “A” player. He truly enjoyed his years playing softball and was fortunate to have many Softball friends. While Ray had a truly incredible and full life, he will be most remembered as a loving husband and father. He was most proud of his family and will be truly missed by his wife Joyce who was his best friend and true love; his son R.J. and his wife Elise and his daughter Michelle Concepcion and her husband Jason. He also leaves behind the joys of his life, his beautiful Grandchildren – J.J. (Mondo) and Mia Angelina Concepcion and Luke Raymond and Adam Anthony Nemetz, all of Bear Creek Township. He is also survived by his sister Michele Junz of Scranton, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins, and many family and dear friends in both Pennsylvania and Florida.
Ray spent the last weeks of his life reminiscing with family and friends. He especially enjoyed time spent with his cousin and friend, Joann Lia of Old Forge. He was truly grateful for the life he lived and the friends and family who shared this life with him.
The family would like to thank Cornerstone Hospice of The Villages Florida and Hospice of the Sacred Heart, especially his caregivers Holly, Tom, Maria and Annie.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 9:15AM from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, with a 10:00AM Divine Liturgy at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Pittston to be conducted by Rev. Mykhaylo Propanetz. Interment with full military honors by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Old Forge.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday between 4-7:00PM at the funeral home.