Colonel (Ret.) Raymond L. Toole, of Orlando, FL, and originally from Miners Mills, PA, passed away on January 7, 2018, in Dayton, OH. He was 88 years old. Raymond attended St. Mary's High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne, PA. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, West Point, and graduated in the USMA Class of 1951. While at West Point he was a proud member of Cadet Company F-1. As a cadet, he won the Academy's brigade-boxing championship. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and began a 30-year career as an Army officer. He was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, and earned an MBA from Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. He was a platoon leader during the Korean War where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Upon his recuperation, he married Maureen (Brislin) Toole, of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and together they raised five children, Raymond, Ryan, Maureen, Mark, and Tracey. He and Maureen moved their family over twenty times while Raymond served in Germany, New York, North Carolina, Kansas, Maryland, Washington, D.C., California, Saudi Arabia, and Pennsylvania, and endured separation when he served in tours in Viet Nam and Cambodia, during the Viet Nam War. Among his assignments, he was the Commander of 269th Ordinance Group, 12th Support Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC. He was also the Chief of Staff, 6th Army, Presidio of San Francisco, and from 1976 to 1978 he was the Commander of Tobyhanna Army Depot, Tobyhanna, PA. Upon his retirement from the Army, he accepted a position with the Vinnell Corporation, Herndon, VA, and worked for several years in the company's Taif, Saudi Arabia office. He and Maureen were living in Taif during the First Gulf War. Finally, they retired together to Orlando, FL, where their warm and happy home was the center of activity for numerous visits by their children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved Maureen, his wife of 61 years, in 2014. He missed her every day for the rest of his life. He was also predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Mary Toole, of Miners Mills, PA, as well as his brothers Patrick and Robert. He always cherished having grown up in Miners Mills, PA, and credited that experience for having instilled in him that values and character that had contributed to his success in life and happiness. He is survived by his daughter Maureen Negrelli and her husband, Edward, of Centerville, Ohio; Raymond and his wife Eileen of Media, PA; Ryan and his companion Roey of Fairfax, VA; Mark and his wife Denise, of Lake Ridge, VA; and Tracey Skikada and her husband David of Orlando, FL. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and four nephews and nieces. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 12, 2018, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering, Ohio 45429, from 9:30 am until time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Burial will take place at the West Point Cemetery at a later date. TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL in care of Arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel.
4 Entries
January 19, 2018
Eileen and Russ Bergin
A loving and kind man who was one of the founders of St. Vincent De Paul at Holy Family Church in Orlando . He and Maureen worked tirelessly helping the poor. He always had a story to tell and a smile on his face. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. May God be with you and your family
January 11, 2018
Ron Ashton
I had the distinct honor of having served under COL Toole when he commanded the Tobyhanna Army Depot. He was my mentor, my leader and especially my friend. I will forever revere him and honor his leadership. God Speed, SIR!! Hoaa!!
January 10, 2018
Joe Swinick
Our sincere condolences to the Toole Family.
Joe, Kathi and Adam Swinick
January 10, 2018
Jane Cartelli
A wonderful man who I will always remember as one of the most honest, hardworking, sincere, and loving people I ever knew. Ray gave so much time and talent to our chapter of St Vincent DePaul. His spirit lives on in the membership today. I will always remember him telling us to get our daughters into Pharmacy school. I will always remember how he and his wife Maureen became surrogate grandparents to our girls when they learned the girls
grandparents were few and so far away. I've missed him since he moved away and I pray for his soul in Heaven today. Blessing to his large family.
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Funeral services provided by:
Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel5471 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45429
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more