Obituary of Raymundo Valderrama
Edison, NJ – Raymundo K. Valderrama, 76, passed away suddenly in Malate, Manila, Philippines on Saturday, July 22, 2023 (Philippine Standard Time).
Born to Lorenzo and Susana Valderrama, Ray grew up as the 20th child of 26, in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila, Philippines. In 1971, he immigrated to the United States living in Yonkers, NY followed by Jersey City, NJ before settling in Edison, NJ.
Following his graduation from high school, he attended Far Eastern University where he studied Medical Technology. He was a proud alumnus of the Torres High School and Sergio Onmeña High School Class of 1964, as well as the Far Eastern University Class of 1969.
Upon his arrival in New York in 1971, Ray began his career as a Medical Technologist at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, followed by St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, NJ, before finding a home at Metropolitan Hospital in New York, where he worked for 24 years until his retirement in 1999.
In his retirement, he enjoyed his family, spoiling his grandkids, traveling abroad on many occasions to the Philippines as well as Europe and Hawaii for vacations, weddings, and many reunions. He later became an avid collector of Starbucks mugs and merchandise from around the world and was a well-known member of the Philippine Starbucks Circle and the SBX Alliance.
Ray leaves behind his loving wife of 49 years, Corazon A. Valderrama; sons: Ray (Nancy) Valderrama, Richard (Rocky) Valderrama, and Ryan Valderrama; and grandchildren: Zoey, Haley, and Zachary. He will also be missed by his siblings, Antonio Valderrama, Victoria Valderrama Austria, Marcelina Valderrama Cipillaro, Azucena Valderrama Santos, and Maria Valderrama Valerio, as well as a host of extended relatives and friends.
A viewing will be held at McCriskin – Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ, on Thursday, August 3, 2023, from 5 PM to 9 PM.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Helena’s R.C. Church, 950 Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ, on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 10 AM.
Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, 1401 Woodland Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ.