Albert Raymond Fetherman Obituary
Albert Raymond "Ray" Fetherman, 93, of Franklinton, North Carolina, passed away on August 26, 2026, at WakeMed North Hospital in Raleigh, NC, surrounded by those he loved most, his wife, Elvira Mae "Vie" (Crump) Fetherman, and his sons, Raymond and LeRoy.
Born on June 26, 1933, to the late Albert and Marie (Mabie) Fetherman, Ray grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Butler High School in 1951. From 1953 to 1955, he proudly served in the United States Army, stationed in Germany.
Ray married Ethel Mary (Cook) Fetherman in 1955, and together they built a life and raised their two sons, Raymond and LeRoy, in Bloomingdale, New Jersey. Ray spent his career working for E.I. DuPont in Pompton Lakes, retiring in 1990.
But a job was only one part of Ray's working life. For decades, he gave his time, energy, and leadership to the Bloomingdale fire services and to the community he called home.
Ray was an active Bloomingdale firefighter from 1960 to 1981. Even after his active-duty years ended, his service did not. He remained deeply involved with the Bloomingdale Exempt Firemen's Association until his move to North Carolina in 2015. Over the years, he served as president of both the Fire Department and the Exempt Association, chaired the building committee for the Bloomingdale Firemen's Hall, and became a life member of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
The Firemen's Hall became a place where many people knew exactly where to find Ray. He and Vie spent countless hours volunteering there, and Ray could often be found greeting people at the front door or working away in the kitchen during the ziti and beefsteak dinners. He was someone who believed in showing up, pitching in, and doing his part.
In 2010, Ray married Vie Spear, and with their marriage, two families became one. Their years together brought new family connections, shared friendships, volunteer work, and eventually a new home in North Carolina. In 2015, Ray and Vie moved to Franklinton, where they settled into the next chapter of their life together.
Ray was happiest when there was something to do and someone to enjoy it with. A lifelong outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, and a round of golf or a game of cards with friends; an adult beverage or two would not be out of the question.When his sons were young, he coached them in Tri-Boro Little League, one of the many ways he shared his time with his family and community. Ray was also a parishioner of St. Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He would often volunteer to be the bingo caller in the Parish Center back in the day.
Those who knew Ray will also remember his sense of humor and his gift for enjoying the simple things in life. He loved telling stories, cracking jokes, challenging family and friends with brain teasers, and singing silly songs that were sure to bring a smile. He kept his mind sharp with a daily crossword puzzle and knew an afternoon nap was time well spent.
From his years in the Army and the fire service to the countless hours spent with family and friends, Ray lived a life rooted in family, friendship, service, and community. He was someone who showed up, lent a hand, shared a story, and usually found a reason to laugh along the way.
More than anything, those who knew and loved Ray will remember not only the many things he did during his 93 years, but also the steady, dependable presence he was in their lives and the laughter, stories, and memories he leaves behind. Above all, Ray was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend whose life touched generations of family and countless people in the communities he called home.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Elvira Mae "Vie" (Crump) Fetherman; his sons, Raymond Fetherman and his wife, Sharon "Sheri," of Lakewood, Colorado, and LeRoy Fetherman and his wife, Colleen, of Stockholm, New Jersey; his five grandchildren, Eric Fetherman and his wife, Tiffany, Lindsay Englund and her husband, Jeff, Lindsay Brutosky and her husband, John, Brianna Fetherman, and Danielle Fetherman; and his great-grandchildren Brayden and Austin Englund, and Margo Brutosky.
He is also survived by his stepchildren, Craig Spear and his wife, Anne, of Sussex, New Jersey, and Sherry Friedman and her husband, Todd, of Wendell, North Carolina; his step-grandchildren, Jeffrey Friedman and Kaitlyn Walsh and her husband, Nick; and his step-great-granddaughter, Mila Sophia Walsh.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Marie Fetherman, and his first wife, Ethel Mary (Cook) Fetherman.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Franklinton, North Carolina, with Pastor Carl Hunter officiating.
He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
