Raymond Pena, formerly of the Bronx, Haverstraw and Stony Point, New York, left this world peacefully after a brief illness on July 14, 2020 under the wonderful care of Hospice at Emerson Health and Rehabilitation Center in Emerson, New Jersey. He was 77 years young. Son of the late Rafael Pena and Villa Morales, he was born on December 23, 1942, in Staten Island.
Raymond was orphaned at age four due to the death of his parents and returned to relatives in Cuba. Unable to afford the added expense of another child, he was placed in an orphanage. He was fortunate to flee Cuba, back to the United States, prior to the Castro regime. He finished his adolescence between family members and an orphanage in Younkers, New York.
Upon completing high school, Raymond honorably served in the United States Army for 1962-1965 in the 82nd Airborne, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He married Rita Emanuel in 1964 and had two children, Ralph Rena of New Windsor, New York and Nancy Pena-Kohout of Stony Point, New York. Upon honorable discharge, he joined New York’s finest, (NYPD) in 1967 and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Raymond retired in 1987 after a full 20-year career.
He worked for Farrell Limousine of New York City as a Chauffeur from 1987 until 1999. Raymond sponsored two children from Honduras from 2004-2018. His passions were New York City, Central Park West and playing Pinochle, his way.
Raymond is survived by his two children, son, Ralph Pena of New Windsor, New York, and daughter, Nancy Pena-Kohout and son-in-law, Stephen of Stony Point, New York, seven grandchildren, Amelia, Julia, James, Rita, Sophia, Luther, and Raymond as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.
He was an avid Trekkie fan and never missed an episode in any of the series. His lifelong dream was “To boldly go where no man has gone before”. The Ascension Mission is fulfilling his dream.
We love you and miss you Pop. You were one of a kind. Thank you for all you did for all of us. The most gentle, kind and generous man I ever knew.
PRAYER
From ashes to ashes, from dust to dust.
You’ll rise again, in this I’ll trust,
You’re in our hearts, “till the end.”
We will meet again, depart, my dear sweet father.
You may be gone, but I know you’re near.
In my heart, I hold you dear.
My only hope, in peace you’ll rest,
I still miss you, I bet you guessed.
I’ll see you soon, it’s a must.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
