Joseph Deraymond

Joseph Shattuck DeRaymond, 59, of Freemansburg died in his home on Thursday October 1, 2009. surrounded by his family and friends after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1950, Joe was the son of Mary (Shattuck) and Raymond Joseph DeRaymond, Esq., and step-son of Irene DeRaymond, all of Easton, PA. Joe graduated from Nazareth High School in 1968 and received a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in 1971. In 1990, he received his RN degree from Northampton Community College. Prior to his illness he was a Title Abstractor. For the past 25 years Joe spent a great deal of time in Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Columbia) helping people improve their lives. He worked in the coffee bean fields in Nicaragua, and spent time as an impartial observer in elections in both Columbia and El Salvador. The people of La Loma, El Salvador are naming a school after him. In Columbia, the FOR is setting up a foundation in his name to make it possible for others to continue the work to which Joe dedicated his life. Joe wrote numerous articles and spoke against anything that threatened the quality of life here in the Lehigh Valley or anywhere else in the world. He was affiliated with several peace organizations including Amnesty International, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Center for Exchange and Solidarity, SOA Watch, LEPOCO, and the Alliance for Sustainable Communities. He dedicated his life working for peace and fighting for the rights of his fellow man. His dedication, compassion, humor, and intelligence won him respect from friends, acquaintances and even from those who were perhaps not so friendly. He had the courage to fight for what he believed in, no matter the consequences. Joe will be remembered and missed by all who knew him. Survivors: In addition to his parents and step-mother, he is survived by his longtime partner, Sarah Snider of Freemansburg; brothers: William of AZ, Raymond Jr. of Plymouth, NH, Jonathan of Bodega Bay, CA, and Peter of Nazareth PA; sisters: Mary Bernhard of Allentown, Miranda DeRaymond of Thermopolis, WY, Amy Fontno of Easton, and Ann Gombert of St. Genies, France. Joe is also survived by nine nieces and nephews. Services: The family will hold a memorial service on Wednesday, October 7th at 10:30 A.M. in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, located at 2344 Center Street, followed by a luncheon in the fellowship hall. Contributions: Donations in the name of Joe DeRaymond can be made to the Fellowship of Reconciliation/Columbia Program, 436 14th ST. #409, Oakland, CA 94612.