Raymond J. Cianfrani Sr. | Pipe fitter, veteran, 85

Raymond J. Cianfrani Sr., 85, of Bellmawr, a career pipe fitter and Army veteran who was involved in various combat actions as a rifleman and machine gunner during World War II, died of pneumonia Thursday under hospice care.

Born in a poor household in Camden, Mr. Cianfrani dropped out of school in the eighth grade to go to work and help his family, said his daughter, Frances Abate.

In 1943, he joined the Army and was trained as a foot soldier with a machine gun and rifle. During his three years in the Army, he faced combat in France and received a combat infantry badge.

Mr. Cianfrani was shot in the thigh and calf during the war, his son, Raymond Jr., said. His most memorable experience was landing in Normandy on D-Day, his family said. By the time Mr. Cianfrani arrived, the sea was red.

Mr. Cianfrani met his future wife, Rosemarie F. Mecca, at an American Legion dance. The couple married in 1948.

After working as a pipe fitter for New York Shipyards in Camden for several years, Mr. Cianfrani went to work at Campbell Soup Co., where he remained until he retired in 1987. He and his wife moved to Bellmawr in 1995. Mrs. Cianfrani died in 2007.

In addition to his son and daughter, Mr. Cianfrani is survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bocco Funeral Home, 1300 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill.

Another viewing will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. tomorrow at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Camden, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11 a.m.

Interment will be in Garden of Honor Harleigh Cemetery, Camden.