Obituary of Raymond Francis Pennett

Raymond Francis Pennett, 91, of Freehold Township passed away at home on Thursday, May 25, 2017. He was born in Jersey City and had resided in Freehold Township for the past 49 years. He served in U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater aboard the U.S.S. Riverside. He graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor’s degree in education and later went on to earn a Master’s degree in education administration. His 34 year career in education included teaching positions in Middlesex County, Middle Road School, Hazlet, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School and Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School, both of Freehold Township. He was the basketball coach for the Barkalow School BlueJays for 19 years and led the team to three championships. Mr. Pennett played professional baseball in the Georgia and Florida State Leagues. He became a New Jersey State certified official in basketball, baseball, and football, where he held many leadership and teaching positions over the years. He was a college basketball, baseball, and football official and served as president of the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Football Officials for college football. He was an official for the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials for 66 years and received honors from Board 33 of North Jersey, Hudson County Board, Shore Board Chapter 194 and the Catholic Youth Organization. He was a baseball umpire for the North Jersey, Shore Umpires Association, and the USABL organizations. He was a member of NJ Football Officials Association - North Jersey and Shore Chapters. He was predeceased by a sister, Doris Pennett, in 1971. Surviving are his wife, Jean Pennett, children, John and his wife Karen Pennett, Watchung, Doris Burke, Toms River, and Sandra Pennett, Howell; five grandchildren, Shannon Burke, Walter Pennett, Amanda Burke, Melissa Pennett, and Brian Abdilla. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. followed by entombment at Monmouth Memorial Park Mausoleum, Tinton Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors, Inc., https://ahepa517.org//charities.htm or the Statewide Parents Advocacy Network http://www.spanadvocacy.org/content/donate-span in Raymond’s memory