In Memoriam: Raymond Zardetto

This beautiful tribute of Ray Zardetto was written by ROI-NJ.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Raymond Zardetto, a dedicated colleague, friend and leader whose impact extended across the business and military communities in New Jersey. Ray died on Oct. 8 at the age of 68.

Many of us first came to know Ray, a resident of Hamilton, during his long tenure at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, where he served as vice president of communications and events. His efforts to support the state’s business community and foster connections made a lasting impression, and he was a trusted voice for the state’s entrepreneurs and leaders.

“Ray was someone who earned respect and gave respect. He was a great manager of people, a great organizer and a mentor to many,” said Scott Goldstein, who worked with Ray at the chamber. “He knew how to run events and knew how to delegate. He knew how to put people in positions to succeed, to give someone a job to do and let them do it. He never asked you to do anything that he couldn’t or wouldn’t do. He brought a lot of intelligence and commitment and team spirit to the chamber. He was also an old-school gentleman. He stood up to shake hands. Looked you in the eye. He was clearly aware of making sure people felt seen. He never sought credit, even when he deserved much credit.”

Following his work with the chamber, Ray was the editor of ROI-NJ’s “Military Matters” newsletter, where he passionately highlighted stories of service, resilience and dedication within the military community. His unwavering support for our armed forces, combined with his work in the corporate world, showcased his steadfast commitment to service — whether in the workplace or in the community. Ray served as the honorary commander for the United States Expeditionary Center during Major General Mark D. Camerer’s command. He was then named honorary commander emeritus. During that same time period, Ray became a board member of the Military Support Alliance of New Jersey.

“Ray was not only a consummate professional but also a true friend and an endless source of wit and inspiration to the whole ROI team,” said Tom Hughes, publisher and CEO of ROI-NJ. “He approached every challenge with a smile and an unwavering dedication that elevated everyone around him. Working with Ray was always a privilege — he went above and beyond, never without a laugh, and made even the most complex tasks seem effortless. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of kindness, professionalism, and joy will forever remain with us. And, as he would often say at the end of our conversations, ‘and one more thing,’  a reminder that with Ray, there was always one more good story, one more laugh, or one more way to make us smile.”

Gino Sciorilli, a fellow member of the Military Support Alliance and business owner, said, “I have so many stories about Ray and me, but the one that really embodies who he was comes down to the way we greeted each other each day when we spoke on the phone. The moment I saw his name pop up on my screen, I couldn’t help but smile. I’d answer, ‘Hey RaZor!’ — that was my call sign for him — ‘How’s your day going?’

“And without fail, he’d laugh and said, ‘Oh, are you kidding me? If I were doing any better, they might arrest me!’ The end of that phrase would change daily but always carry the same uplifting message. That was Ray — full of life, humor, and positivity. From there, our conversations would always turn to some new idea or project he had to help our military families and the military community as a whole. Before long, we even started dreaming up the ‘Are You Kidding Me’ campaign, all about spreading that same positive energy to the world. That greeting says it all — Ray’s endless optimism, kindness, and genuine care for everyone he met. He had a way of lifting people up without even trying.“

Among those who crossed paths with Ray was Dana Lancelloti, executive director, Monmouth-Ocean Development Council.

“Ray worked in support of our military community, particularly focused on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst where he earned an esteemed appointment as Honorary Commander,” she said. “I have been fortunate to share in this circle of long-time, tight-knit civic-military supporters and with that, Ray and I attended a multitude of events, ceremonies, tours, celebrations and air shows through the years, along with military flights and refueling missions, visiting Air Force bases in other states to learn and share the missions and stories of our men and women who serve. The extraordinary educational awareness gained from these experiences were eloquently transcribed by Ray through his work with ROI-NJ and their “Military Matters” newsletter.

“Ray was a steady adviser, generous in spirit and a very dear friend. I am privileged to have known and worked with him. He will be greatly missed.”

Ray’s professional career spanned more than 25 years in corporate communications, with senior leadership roles at Fortune 50 companies, nonprofits and professional firms. He was known for his calm presence, kindness and his talent for managing teams and elevating the strategic role of communications in every organization he served.

One former colleague from the corporate world was Pete Settles.