Mine Hill, NJ  Mr. Raymond Thomas Gardner, Sr, 87, of Mine Hill died peacefully on Friday at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Wharton to Mary and Roy Gardner, and was a lifelong resident of Mine Hill and a graduate of Dover High School.

He served in the U S Navy during WW II and was a Disabled American Veteran. Raymond was an electrician by trade and was honored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 581, for more than 50 years of service. He previously worked at Picatinny Arsenal and for the Township of Mine Hill. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, and woodworking.

Raymond was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Louise J (nee Dean), his parents, and 3 brothers; Herbert, Donald, and Leroy, and life-long friend Jimmy Boisvert. He is survived by his 4 children; Donna Walters of Randolph, Mary Swistack of Mansfield Twp, Raymond T Gardner, Jr. of Mine Hill, and Lynn Apolmaro of Byram, and 6 grandchildren; Matthew and Ryan Swistack of Mansfield, Raymond T Gardner III of Mine Hill, Jayden Thomas Apolmaro of Byram, Jennifer Citro of Landing, and James Walters of TN.

Friends may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Monday from 3 – 5 & 7 – 9  pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, 10 am, at the Funeral Home, with the internment to follow at the ­­­­Succasunna Presbyterian Cemetery.