Obituary of Raymond John Sharp

After a long battle with multiple illnesses, Raymond John Sharp, age 83 of Glen Mills PA, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. 

Born to John F. and Margaret A. (Lock) Sharp in Philadelphia, he resided in Westbrook Park and Springfield before moving to Glen Mills. 

Ray was a former supervisor in the Gas Utilization Department of PECO Energy. Upon retirement, he worked for the Upper Darby School District Transportation Department. He did everything from driving a school bus to training new hires and CPR and First Aide Certifications. 

Ray's love of movies led him to open Sharp Video in Concord Twp. in the late 1970s and share his passion with an area that did not have cable TV until the early 1990s. Not yet retired, he employed many relatives and high school students from the area and soon became an integral part of the community. 

Ray graduated from John Bartram High School in 1957 and earned an Associate Degree from Penn State University. He also proudly served in the United States Marine Corp. 

He was a devout member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Clifton Heights serving on multiple committees and was even a valued vestry member. He was a member of the Concord Masonic Lodge 625, a former member of Lodge 711 in East Lansdowne, achieving the honored level of 32nd degree, and a current member of the Shriner's. Ray was an active member of the Upper Darby Square Club and the Vice President of the HOA at Fox Hill Farms in Glen Mills, PA. Ray's commitment to community service was abundant. 

He loved cooking and experimenting with new recipes. He loved spending time with his family, from being a football coach to a Boy Scout leader, he never missed an event. With his grandkids, he never missed a game, performance or school presentation. Whatever was important to his grandkids was important to him and he always showed up to support.

In addition to his parents, Ray is preceded in death by his siblings; Paul Sharp, Pauline Sharp, and Edna Connors. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia A Sharp. Children; Thomas (Trish) Sharp, Michael Sharp, Karen (Joseph) Havrilla and Stacey (David) McLaughlin; Sister Linda (Dale) Smith, brother Charles (Liz) Sharp, 10 grandchildren; Thomas Sharp Jr., Kate Sharp, Megan Sharp, Joseph (Carli) Havrilla, Gregory (Julia) Havrilla, Stephen Havrilla, Samantha McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, Julie McLaughlin and Michael McLaughlin; 2 great-grandchildren, Colette and Sloan Havrilla, 3 nieces whom Ray was a father figure to; Judy, Dana and Gina, plus many more nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 9:15-10:45AM at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd. Garnet Valley, PA. Masonic Service will be held at 10:45AM followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00AM at the funeral home. Burial will remain private. Donations in Ray's memory may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.