MORRISVILLE, Pa. - Raymond P. Furente, age 87, died after a long illness on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the home of his son and daughter-in-law in Langhorne, Pa., surrounded by his loving family. Raymond was born in Philadelphia and was a resident of Morrisville for more than 65 years. He was a longtime railroad employee, working as a welder and a car inspector beginning with the Pennsylvania Railroad and through its transitions to Conrail and NJ Transit. After his retirement, he was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Morrisville, delivering meals to the homebound elderly along with his wife, Angela.Raymond was a self-taught man who had many interests and passions. He spent numerous hours studying the Bible, carrying his belief in God throughout every aspect of his life. Without any formal training, he learned to play the guitar, piano and accordion and shared his wide repertoire of songs with his loved ones at family gatherings. He also believed in natural healing methods and, if asked, would do extensive research and offer remedies to someone who was ailing. He considered this work his ministry.Raymond's many hobbies included hunting, boating and wine making. He was an accomplished builder. He designed and built two homes - one for his family in Morrisville and another, many years later, as a vacation home in the Endless Mountains in Sonestown, Pa. He also became an accomplished stone mason, building an elaborate fish pond with waterfalls in his backyard and several artistic stone fireplaces in his home and in his children's homes.Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Donato and Consiglia Furente, his brother Aquiline (Nick) Furente, and his wife of 65 years, Angela Ridolfi Furente.He is survived by his four children and spouses, Deborah (Frank) Pelsinski of Lawrence, NJ; Lynn (Patrick) Hartigan of Morrisville; Ida (Peter) Doolan of Pennington, NJ; and Ray (Leona) Furente of Langhorne; a sister, Valentina Gonnella of Morrisville; five grandchildren, two step grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two great-step-grandchildren, and 10 nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be on Monday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, 41 W. Trenton Ave., Morrisville, PA (www.hooperfuneralchapel.com). Interment will immediately follow at the Morrisville Cemetery.The family requests that any memorial contributions made in Raymond's name be sent to Leading the Way Ministry, PO Box 20100, Atlanta, GA 30325; to the local chapter of The Salvation Army; or to Chandler Hall's Hospice Care, 99 Barclay St., Newtown, Pa. 18940.

Calling Hours
Monday, March 18, 2013
09:00:00 - 11:00:00
J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel
41 W. Trenton Ave.
Morrisville PA

Memorial Service
Monday, March 18, 2013
11:00:00
J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel
41 W. Trenton Ave.
Morrisville PA

Burial
Monday, March 18, 2013
12:00:00
Morrisville Cemetery
S. Pennsylvania Ave. at Anderson Ave.
Morrisville PA