NEWTON DE RAISMES JR.

Newton de Raismes Jr., 80, of Elburn, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, July 12, 2024. He was born on April, 4, 1944, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to proud parents, Newton and Alice de Raismes (nee Marion).

Newt grew up in East Hanover, New Jersey where he attended local schools, graduating from Hanover Park High School, class of 1962. After graduating from high school, Newt earned his Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. In the late 1960’s, shortly after graduating from college, he enlisted with the United States Army. During Newt’s deployment, he was stationed in Germany where he used his drafting expertise for top secret mapping for the US government.  After serving two years, Newt returned home to New Jersey.

Newt had many great career opportunities in his 34 years working with Bell Laboratories/Lucent Technologies.  When he first started working with Bell, he was given the opportunity to work on the small island of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific.  It was his work with Bell that led him to the love of his life, Mary Forward.  Newt and Mary met while both contracted with the government at a missile tracking site in Cavalier, North Dakota, with Newt working for Bell Laboratories and Mary working with Pan American Airlines.  After one memorable lunch date, sparks were instantly flying.  They courted for eight short months before marrying on February 15, 1975, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oakes, North Dakota.

Newt retired in July of 2001, and he was forever grateful for all the opportunities his employer provided him.

Newt was an avid hunter in his earlier years. He was also enthusiastic about fishing and looked forward to spending time out on the water in his canoe, taking in the sights, and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the scenery. In his free time at home, he loved to do woodworking projects in his garage.  He once built a tv from scratch using his knowledge of circuitry and his woodworking prowess. He was proud of his accomplishment and had it set in his living room for many years to come. On the weekends you could find Newt fine tuning his lawn. He always made sure his yard was in tip-top shape and never missed lawn mowing day.

Newt’s greatest joy was being a grandfather, including the 3.5 years during which he spent watching his first grandson Tuesday-Friday, never missing a day.  He was in love with being a grandfather and looked forward to spoiling his grandchildren. Newt was a kindhearted, caring man, that would lend a hand to anyone in need.  He fiercely loved his family and would do anything to help a friend.  His family and friends can only hope to carry on his legacy of kindness and compassion.  He will be dearly missed.

Newt leaves behind his wife of nearly 50 years, Mary de Raismes; his children: Dana (Chad) Genac and Megan (Joel) Kaul; his grandchildren: Audrey Kaul, Hayden Genac, Samuel Kaul, Grant Genac, Jonah Kaul, and Henry Kaul; his siblings: Jack (Ann) de Raismes, Della (Tom Genzale) de Raismes, and Mark de Raismes; as well as many nieces and nephews; and a whole family of friends.

Newt is reunited with his parents, Newton and Alice de Raismes.

Services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the American Kidney Fund in Newt’s memory via the following link https://www.kidneyfund.org/ . Tributes may be forwarded to P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119, on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.