Raymond Frederich Devantier

Raymond Frederich DeVantier, 84, of Bethlehem, died in Rhode Island on September 23, 2010 with his loving family by his side. Born in North Bergen, NJ to Paul and Frances Steinkruger DeVantier, he spent most of his childhood in Weehawken, NJ with happy summers spent at Jones Point, NY. His family moved to Roscoe, NY where he graduated from Roscoe Central High School in 1943. After briefly attending Pratt Institute, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as a cadet and earning the American Campaign, Good Conduct and Victory Medals.

Raymond earned his B.S. in accounting from Syracuse University in 1949, on the GI Bill. He married Josephine Ruth Gordon on July 15, 1950 and the couple moved to Bethlehem where they lovingly raised their three children. After working at Just Born Candy, Ray started a life long and successful real estate career with Walter F. Peterson and Fishburn Realty, later opening up his own brokerage firm. He earned many sales awards, and served with distinction on the Board of Realtors.

A strong believer in positive thinking, Ray taught Dale Carnegie courses for years. He loved to sail, dance, play bridge, read, and compete in racquetball. Ray was very involved in the Christian Science Church, and his faith helped him weather the deaths of his son, Raymond Jr., daughter, Ellen, and wife, Josephine. Until the end, Ray continued to project his strong life force and sense of humor, and shared with his family many happy memories of time spent with family and friends.

Survivors: Raymond will be fondly remembered by daughter Andrea and husband Christopher Whitney of East Greenwich, RI; sister and brother-in-law Jean and Charles Barnes of FL; sisters-in-law Dorothy DeVantier of Roscoe, NY and Jeanne Gordon of Scranton, PA; son-in-law Michael Desnoyers of Bethlehem; grandchildren Brandon, Kayla, Alexander, Gabrielle, Colin and Grant; and his five nieces and nephews.

Services: Visiting hours will be held at Connell Funeral Home at 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA this Saturday, October 2, 2010 between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Church of Christ Scientist, 1400 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA, on Sunday, October 3, 2010, at 3:00 PM.

Contributions: In Raymond's name may be made to Friends of the Bethlehem Public Library.