19 Lincoln Ave.
Rutherford , NJ 07070
(201) 939-1050
19 Lincoln Ave
Rutherford, NJ 07070
Raymond  Endres Raymond  Endres Raymond  Endres Raymond  Endres
In Memory of
Raymond  J
Endres
1924 - 2015
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, Rutherford, NJ
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Life Story for Raymond J Endres

RAYMOND JOSEPH ENDRES

A LIFE STORY

May 4, 1924
Born @ home on 73 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford, NJ – Second child of Herman and Lorraine (Pfaff). Older brother Herman (Sonny) had been born in September 20, 1921, within days of arrival in the U.S.A, after emigrating from Germany.

March 20, 1926
Welcomed additional sibling Lorraine (Blauvelt), completing this “new American” family.

September 1928
Started school early at age 4, in an effort to develop and learn English as soon as possible and assist his brother help their mother learn English as well.

1934 - 1936
Severely broken collar bone. Hospitalized and subsequently resided in long-term rehabilitation facility in Westfield, NJ, due to surgery, including bone graft surgery (rare in the 1930’s) from his right hip to left collar bone.

September 1936
Returned home and to school, without being “left back” a grade or more, despite not having been in “regular” school for almost 2 full years.

June 1937
Graduated 8th Grade with his class, collecting over $10 (almost a full week’s pay for a working adult at that time), from various family and friends who had challenged him when he was injured and said he would not be able to complete the 8th grade academic requirements with his class on time due to his injuries.

1938-1941
Participated on the East Rutherford High School Track team (Becton Regional now), competing in the 400 & 800 meter races (they were still called the 440 and 880 then) and the high jump. Also, at that time you used pin spikes on the old cinder track and the high jump was done via the straddle or “western roll” techniques as there was no “Fosbury flop” being performed yet behind the walls of Riggins Field in East Rutherford or while visiting Ridgewood High School’s “short track” for relays.

June 1941
Graduated East Rutherford High School only 1 month after turning 17.




September 7, 1942
Started work at BD (Becton Dickinson) East Rutherford, for 50 cents per hour (49 ½ work week). This position was considered much better as his previous job was with Royce Chemical and had been paying only $18 per week.

October 24, 1942
Enlisted in US Navy, knowing his older brother had already been drafted and was in the Army serving in Europe.

March 1943
Graduated from Navy school as Radio Operator and was assigned to USS Bellatrix.

Summer 1943
Participated in Allied invasion of Sicily

Fall 1943 - early 1944
Various other deployments worldwide as far away as New Zealand

July 1944
Participated in final phase in Battle of Saipan

Late 1944 – Early 1945
Various deployments in the Pacific theater ending in when ship reached San Diego in April 1945

April 5, 1945
Older brother Herman (Sonny) killed in action in Germany, at age 23.

Mid 1945 – Late 1946
Various deployments in Pacific & California ports & cities, while ships were being repaired & replaced, including observing US atomic bomb tests

January 2, 1947
Began 11 month deployment on Attu (western Aleutian islands), Alaska

December 1947 – October 1948
Various deployments in Southwest US & Pacific, including observing US atomic bomb tests

October 1948
Honorably discharged from US Navy, as 1st class Petty Officer, Radioman

November 22, 1948
Returned to work at B&D, began dating Mary (Giordano).

Summer 1949
Became engaged

April 29, 1950
Married Mary on his parent’s 30th wedding anniversary, and also his mother’s birthday!

June 14, 1951
Re-called by the US Navy due to Korean War. Served for over a year in a non-combative role on and off the US East Coast, based out of Norfolk VA, including various deployments to the Caribbean plus one to Greenland.

May 5, 1954
Became a first-time parent, via birth of a daughter, Susan Mary (married name is now Wojtecki), only one day after his 30th birthday.

April 24, 1956
Purchased home in Rutherford

December 31, 1957
Completed his immediate family with the birth of a son, Raymond Albert.

October 18, 1959
Father (Herman) died after short illness at age 71.

About 1962
Learned how to read and type braille. Began to copy elementary schoolbooks from print to braille and provide them for use by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind as master copies for use in preparing copies for blind students needing braille textbooks throughout the state.

October 11, 1965
Promoted within Becton Dickinson from position as a “plater” in their manufacturing plant to a sterilization inspector.

September 7, 1967
Achieved 25 years of service with B&D and received an engraved gold watch.

October 2, 1967
Job Title change to Quality Control Inspector

December 2, 1968
Transferred to B&D’s Sterilization Lab as an Assistant Lab. He continued working in this department through his remaining years with the company ending his career their as the Lab Assistant (Supervisor) for a number of years.
June 1, 1976
Sister (Lorraine Blauvelt) died after long illness at age 50.

March 31, 1985
Retired from Becton Dickinson after 42 ½ years of service.

Mid 1985 – Mid 1988
Enjoyed early retirement including newfound hobbies of embroidering and gardening plus long-distance walking (3 plus miles per day). Also, enjoyed visiting with 4 grandchildren born between July 29, 1983 and August 20, 1988. In addition, he worked on travel committee planning and taking numerous trips with his friends and former co-workers through the BD Retirement Club.

August 24, 1988
Mother (Lorraine Pfaff) died after a short hospital stay following a stroke at age 96.

1990’s
Besides the new hobbies started in the previous few years, a long annual driving trip to Florida was added with many stops included to visit with friends and family who used to live near them in NJ. Being a proud veteran, he continued to attend various reunions with his former shipmates from the Bellatrix throughout the country as talk of a WWII Memorial was mounting amongst the ranks of those with the “muscle” to make it happen.

May 4, 1993
After 3 previous unsuccessful attempts over the last 6 years (3 House sessions), the World War II Memorial Act (HR 682) was passed (coincidentally on his birthday). The law subsequently passed the Senate and was signed by President Clinton authorizing the building of the Memorial.

November 11, 2000
B&D invited him to fly to Washington to attend the groundbreaking ceremony where he had the opportunity to meet and speak with former Senator Robert Dole & future Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Early – Late 2000’s
Handled Recording Secretary duties for BD Retirement Club.

October 23, 2008
Wife (Mary Giordano) died after extended illness at age 85 and having been married 58 ½ years.

May 4, 2014
Celebrated his 90th birthday at his home with friends and family, although he was in need of and received continuous home care, as a result of a stroke in December 2013.

May 29, 2015
Died peacefully at age 91.

Affiliations


American

US Navy

VFW
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