Raymond “Ray” J. Elia

Raymond “Ray” J. Elia of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2019, with family at his side. He was 94 years young.

Ray was born and grew up in Farrell, Pennsylvania one of seven children of Italian immigrants. He served in the Navy on the famous USS Midway and other vessels during World War II. After his service, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Duquesne University, then taught college classes while he earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Michigan State University. He met his wife, Mary, in Lansing, Michigan, and they were married shortly after he completed his doctorate.

He was recruited by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”) and spent 30 years working in the Textile Fibers Division in Wilmington, Delaware. His job took him and his family to live in Geneva, Switzerland for three years, which enabled them to travel to many places in Europe and to make many friends along the way.

After retiring from DuPont, Ray volunteered with the Ministry of Caring in Wilmington, Delaware, chairing and co-chairing successful fundraisers to benefit local people suffering from AIDS, homelessness and poverty. He was honored for the magnitude of his work and his devotion to this charity.

Ray valued his family, friends and faith in God above all else. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling, painting, reading, playing cards, entertaining and making people laugh. From a young age, he was known as being friendly and social. As a father and grandfather, he emphasized the importance of education and enjoyed sharing literature, art, travel and his favorite jokes with his family. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and his love of life!

Ray is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter, Cindy, her husband Greg Larson, their daughter, Maria, and her husband Jesse Cornacchione and their daughter, Gia; his son, Randy Elia, his wife, Laura, and their children, Maya and Noah; his second daughter, Lori, and her husband, Don Tomovich, and their children, Jenna and Justin; and his youngest daughter, Lisa, and her husband, Dean Erickson. He is also survived by his sister, Geraldine, and her husband Al (“Butch”) Tate, his brother, Robert Elia, and many nieces and nephews who he loved very much.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Marguerite Elia, and his siblings, Elizabeth O’Hare, James Elia, Louise Patt, and Marguerite Duich.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which was one of Ray’s favorite charities, or to the Resident Care Fund, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA 19342, which benefits senior residents at Maris Grove who can no longer afford care. The family is eternally grateful for the loving care of the staff at Rose Court/Maris Grove.

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