George C. Ragg

July 7, 1940 - October 5, 2021

Obituary for George Ragg George C. Ragg passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening, October 5, 2021 at Monmouth Medical Center, Lakewood Campus. He was 81 years old. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Antoinette (Toni) Wilson Ragg. He was born in East Orange, NJ on July 7, 1940. His parents were Carlton Ragg and Bertha Zielke. He is survived by his step children Mary Wilson, Bob Wilson and Denise and her husband Mike Sikora, his seven grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, two sisters; Jean Rosenkranz and Joan Graesle and ten nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Carlton, his mother Bertha, his sister Carol Whelan, his brothers-in-law Bob Whelan, Jack Graesle and Donald Rosenkranz, his daughter-in-law Sharon Castles Wilson, his nephew Bobby Whelan and his niece Christine DeCheser. George graduated from Clifford Scott High School in East Orange and attended college for accounting. He joined the army and was stationed in Panama during the Vietnam War. He returned home from the Army and in 1962 he became a firefighter with the East Orange Fire Department where he served for 28 years, retiring in 1990.While he was a firefighter he received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Supreme Court of New Jersey for his devotion to duty as a volunteer Probation Counselor and he was awarded a Certificate of Commendation Year of Excellence Award for collecting aluminum cans for the Burned Victims Committee from the Mayor of East Orange. He went on to work in several part time jobs as a bus driver for special needs children and also for senior citizens in Freehold. He was heavily involved in the Meals on Wheels program for many years. George loved to play baseball from a young age. While stationed in Panama in the army he played baseball. After the army he was a member of several men’s softball leagues for more than 30 years, playing the position of outfielder. He and his team played two times in the National Senior Olympic Games in Utah. His team also won in his division in the Las Vegas Senior Softball Association in 2004 and he was proud to show off his Championship ring. George was very involved in his churches and received a special certificate of appreciation for 25 years of service as a deacon from the Presbytery of Newark in 1991. He always sang in the choir and most recently was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lakewood where he helped in the church in a variety of ways, from opening the church for services, to singing in the choir, attending bible studies, etc. He was a very spiritual person with a deep love for his faith. George loved spending time with his sisters and their families. He most recently flew out to Arizona and brought his sister Joan back to New Jersey for a visit with her family. His nieces and nephews; Frank, John, Linda, Sharon, Tracy, Holly, Guy, David, Joy, and Jill were very important to him and he was active in all of their lives. George met his wife Antoinette (Toni) Wilson. They dated for five years and finally tied the knot in 1987. Toni had three grown children at that time; Mary Wilson, Denise Sikora and Bob Wilson. George had an instant family. He was the proud Pop-Pop of Bobby Wilson, Kristine Wilson, Michael Sikora, Angela Austin, Stephanie Ucci, Tommy Barry and Danielle Barry. His grandchildren were so important to him and they loved him tremendously. He was a constant presence in their lives, from traveling all over the country to attend their sporting events, birthday parties, discussing world events, attending weddings and other important events in his grandchildren’s lives. He was also blessed with four great grandchildren; Ander and Brody Austin, James Wilson and Luke Ucci. He was a little hesitant at first to hold these tiny babies but once he got over that he was in love. He would get down on the floor and play with them, hold them and love them. George enjoyed spending time with his many firefighter friends, from softball and in his community. George had a deep need to help people and do anything at all for them. He helped many neighbors, family and extended family in many different ways, from taking them to doctor appointments, just sitting with them and talking. George and Toni were so fortunate in their 40 years together to be able to travel the world together. His absolute favorite trip was to the Canadian Rockies. He talked about that trip and the beauty of those mountains and always said everyone should have dreams and a plan to see all the beauty in the world around us. We should all travel no matter how close or far away, just get out and explore. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and his memory will live on in the lives of all the people he has touched. The family requests that masks be worn during the visitation and cemetery service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Federation of the Blind at www.nfb.org or 200 East Wells St. at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230 or call 410-659-9314. Visitation will be Friday October 15th from 3PM to 7PM at the Silverton Funeral Home located at 2482 Church Rd. Toms River, NJ 08753. There will be a short service at 6PM. Please go directly to the cemetery for the interment on Saturday October 16th at 11:00AM at Clover Leaf Cemetery located at US1 & US35, Woodbridge, NJ 07095. www.silvertonmemorial.com.