Raymond David Bartling Sr.

1943 - 2023

Bartling, Raymond David Sr., - 80, of Wading River, entered eternal life September 22, 2023. Born January 29, 1943. He was retired from Sears after 40 years as an Automotive Technician. When asked what he was doing in retirement he would tell people "Everything I want to do and nothing I don't". In his youth his pride and joy was his Harley motorcycle and he often talked about the motorcycle meet in Laconia, New Hampshire. He was a railroad enthusiast, and his paternal grandfather was an engineer on the PRSL. His maternal grandfather was owner of Blankenbush Drug Store in Merchantville and he had fond memories of going there after school and sitting at the counter having an ice cream cone. His latest endeavor was helping at the Wading River Tree Farm during Christmas season, cutting trees and socializing with the families. He looked forward to it every year and spending time with Horace and Barbara. Many years he was involved in Stock Car Racing at the Atlantic City Speedway as a mechanic with Jack and his good buddy Ray who owned car #27. He was a US Army Veteran having served in Germany from 1963-1966. Upon his discharge he met the love of his life, Patricia, whom he was married to for 54 years. His family was everything to him and he was heard saying "how blessed we are". He could always be relied on "when the chips were down". Ray (Dave) got great pleasure at telling jokes. One of his favorite sayings was "come back when you can't stay so long". When grocery shopping, employees would ask if he had any jokes for them! He is predeceased by his parents Raymond & Mary Elizabeth Bartling and stepmother Irene Williams Bartling, his sister Suzanne Groff. He is survived by his wife Patricia, sisters Maribeth (Charles) Durr and Fay Bartling, sons Raymond Jr. (Vanny), Scott (Michelle), Keith (Erin), and his five grandchildren, Alyssa, Anthony, Connor, Giana and Sadie.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Saraceno Funeral Home, 1114 White Horse Pike, Egg Harbor City. Mass will follow at St Nicholas R.C. Church at 11 a.m. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery Mays Landing.