Raymond Lewis Mitch

Raymond Lewis Mitch

September 27, 1921 – October 31, 2017

“A man among men”

It is hard to put down on paper the type of man Ray Mitch was.  He was a man of integrity and honor, a man who worshipped God and who loved his family.  A man who always said the most important word was “love”.

He was a genius in the truest sense of the word—attending Rutgers University at the age of 15 on a full scholarship, going on to major in physics and mathematics, becoming president of his fraternity and graduating at the top of his class.  He would often tell the story of almost missing that critical scholarship examination because he had overfilled the balloon tires on their 1930’s car resulting in exploding and very flat tires as he and his father travelled to New Brunswick.  That was Ray Mitch, too—not very mechanical.  Yet, at that young age, his score was the highest in the state of New Jersey.

He went on to work at the Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan and at a savings and loan where he met his love, Esther.  Truly his life’s partner, Ray was devoted to Esther and they built a life based upon a shared faith, shared values and, above all, love.  A visionary and an up and coming elected politician in New Jersey in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, Ray was redeveloping New Jersey cities in advance of the later inner city craze.  While Ray was a rising political star, Esther’s distaste for political life led Ray down another path, although he remained an avid politico until the end. 

Studying in the back of the car while his business partner and friend, Steve Radics, would drive down the New Jersey Turnpike, Ray passed the CPA exam and went on, with his partners, to build a thriving practice.  This provided Esther and Ray the opportunity to travel and let Esther pursue one of her passions--owning and decorating beautiful homes.  They lived a wonderful life together and his accounting legacy continues with his daughter, Phyllis and grandson, Bradley.

Ray’s life was his faith and Esther and his two daughters, Carol and Phyllis.  There is nothing he would not do for his family and when Carol passed away, it was truly a dark time.  He is with his Esther and Carol now, his brother George and his extended family of in-laws—Minnie and Marty, Laura and Bill, Ida and Barney and Phil.  What joy for him and what sorrow for us that miss them so.

Ray Mitch was a man who was impactful on many different levels—a leader, an influencer, an intellectual, but above all a kind and generous soul.  His daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Jerry Deiso, his grandchildren, David Pohli, Douglas Pohli, Jason Deiso, Jessica Deiso, Andrew Deiso and Bradley Deiso, and his nieces and nephews mourn the loss of a truly great man.  A man who, to his dying breath, wanted to be sure that the family was well.

Go in peace thou man among men.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Friday, November 3 at Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton.  A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 4 at Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton.  Burial will follow at the Boca Raton Cemetery.

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