Raymond Stanley Babiarz, Sr., age 100, of Glen Mills, formerly of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully at Rose Court, Maris Grove on Saturday August 19, 2017. Born in Wilmington, DE, Raymond was the son of the late Ludwig and Catherine Babiarz.
Raymond graduated from Wilmington High School and Drexel University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. Post-graduation he went to work at Calvert Distillery in Relay, MD. In 1940, he joined Joseph Bancroft & Sons Co. rising from textile chemist to their “Director of Development”. During his tenure at Joseph Bancroft & Sons, Ray was credited with a number of patents relating to the processing of textile fibers. In 1965, he joined the E.I. Dupont de Nemours Company and worked there in various capacities until his retirement in the 1980’s.
In 1950, while having some minor surgery at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, he met the love of his life, Florence. They were married in 1952 and spent over 60 wonderful years together. Sadly Florence passed away in 2013,
Raymond was very proud of his Polish heritage. He and Florence were life-long parishioners of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Wilmington, DE, until it closed in the early 2000’s. They spent many hours there working on Christmas bazaars, bingo nights, choir practice and bull roasts. They were charter members of AMPOL (Americans of Polish Descent Cultural Society) and worked tirelessly in organizing their annual Jesienny Bal.
Though a Drexel graduate, Ray loved University of Delaware “Fightin Blue Hen” football. He attended almost every home game for over 30 years. Some of his most cherished memories of Delaware games included the National Championship game in Chattanooga, TN in 2003 and the Delaware-Navy game in 2007, where Delaware beat Navy 59-52 and Joe Flacco became a Blue Hen legend.
Nothing thrilled Raymond more than to have his family together at their Brigantine summer cottage. He loved to stroll the beach and would walk miles well into his 80’s.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers of Willow Tree Hospice and the compassionate staff of Maris Grove Rose Court.
Raymond is survived by his son, Raymond Jr. and his wife Peggy of Wilmington, DE, two daughters Mary Babiarz of Maplewood, NJ, and Carol Cyphers and her husband John of Phoenix, MD. He is also survived by his sister Anne Dougherty and her husband Jim of Wilmington, DE and sister-in-law Leona Sohmers of New Hope, PA. PopPop Babiarz was immensely proud of his 6 grandchildren Erin, Tim, Kyle, Jason, Bryan and Samantha and his 3 great grandchildren Nate, Sam and Tess.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary of the Assumption “Facility Maintenance Fund”, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707, Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Rd., Newark, DE 19713 or a charity of one’s choice.
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