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Gloucester City, NJ (Jan. 23, 2025)--Joseph D. Raube, Sr., 86, of Gloucester City, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2025, at his home, with his loving family by his side. Born on June 25, 1938, in Camden, NJ, Joseph was the beloved husband of Dolores Cleary Raube for over 60 years. Together, they raised three sons: Joseph D. Raube Jr., David Charles Raube, and Michael George Raube. Joseph was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Gregory, Patrick, Madeline, Olivia, Charlotte, Regina, and Dylan, all of whom he adored and cherished deeply.

Joseph graduated from Gloucester City High School in 1956 and dedicated his life to his work and family. He began his career as a butcher and later owned a butcher shop at Market St. and Lane Ave. in Gloucester City, where he was a well-known figure in the community. In addition to his career as a butcher, Joseph obtained his real estate license and invested in various properties throughout Gloucester City, showing a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit.

In the late 1990s, Joseph purchased Gloucester Travel and successfully ran the business until 2004. After selling that business, he worked various jobs until he retired in 2020. Throughout his life, Joseph was a self-taught handyman, taking on countless projects around his home and real estate properties, always seeking to improve and care for those around him. His love for cooking was legendary; many fondly remember the Sunday evening meals he prepared for his family.

Bill E. Cleary Sr., the owner and editor of CNBNews (ClearysNoteBook), and Joe's brother-in-law, shared some memories about him.

“Joe was six years older than I when I first met him. After he married my sister, Dolores, I worked for him for some time after school each day. He was incredibly muscular, having dedicated himself to weightlifting from an early age throughout high school. He grew up on Yale Avenue in Gloucester Heights, where his cousins — Bill, Ron, and Sonny Raube — also had a home. A standout athlete, Joe excelled as a member of the Gloucester High track team and made his mark in javelin competitions, setting records that remain unbroken. He told me about the day he competed against Eugene Maurice Orowitz who represented Collingswood High School. Later in life, Eugene changed his name to Michael Landon, and became a TV actor and writer. Mr. Raube graduated in 1956 and, for some time, worked at the now defunct New Jersey Zinc factory in the Southport section of Gloucester City. Many of the people who worked there died from COPD later in life.”

“I vividly remember watching him and his cousin Ronnie showcase their athletic abilities at the Gloucester City pool where Proprietors Park is located today. As they performed each dive, other swimmers paused to watch them, too, as they were specular divers. And they made it look so easy. They executed a dazzling array of maneuvers: twisting dives, graceful backflips, precise reverse dives, and the daring forward pike dive, commonly known as the jackknife dive. During the sun-soaked summer days at Stone Harbor Beach, Joe was often seen effortlessly walking on his hands from the crashing waves back to where our family gathered. The delight and amazement on the faces of those he passed by were truly unforgettable.”

“Joe enlisted in the Army Reserve, embarking on a journey to Fort Dix in Pemberton, NJ, where he served six months. Trained as a cook, he embraced the responsibilities of military life, completing two weeks of active duty each summer and one weekend each month during the year. His enlistment was for six years, and his unit was headquartered in Camden City.”

"After my sister Dolores married Joe, they settled on Dorsett Avenue in the seaside community of Ventnor City, NJ, where Joe’s parents operated a grocery store. Joe worked as a butcher for several years. Eventually, they made a new home for themselves in Gloucester City, purchasing a lovely house at 804 East Brown St., a place that would cradle many cherished memories until the end of Joe’s life."

"Around that same time, they took a leap into entrepreneurship by acquiring a corner grocery store at 900 Market Street from Paul Martz. During my high school days, I worked there after school, stocking shelves, delivering grocery orders, and slicing lunch meat for customers. One of my more demanding tasks involved picking up two hindquarters of beef from a meatpacking plant in Camden City each week. Each hindquarter weighed 90 pounds, and I recalled how the weight would sag the back of the station wagon, nearly making it kiss the pavement. Yet, Joe, would unload the beef effortlessly, carrying it into the store on his shoulder as if it were a mere bag of groceries."

"A few years into their marriage, Joe embarked on a significant spiritual journey by converting to Catholicism, and both he and Dolores found a warm community in the Marriage Encounter program. For many years, Joe and his sons actively participated in the Men of Malvern, embracing camaraderie and fellowship. He was also a proud member of the Gloucester City Lions Club when he operated the travel agency, contributing to the community in countless ways."

"Joe had a remarkable talent for shooting pool, and I enjoyed the matches we shared on his basement's full-length pool table. Though he faced numerous health challenges later in life, he bravely battled cancer along with emphysema and asthma; his spirit remained resilient. His immediate family and his extended family will miss him profoundly, and we are all grateful that he has found peace and will no longer endure suffering.”

Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Clara, and his sister, Barbara Raube Williams, and is survived by his brother, Charles Dan Raube. He was a devoted family man who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joseph’s memory to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org  and the American Heart Association at www.heart.org

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Joseph D. Raube, Sr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City. Ph:856-456-1142.

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