Glen Edward Ramkawsky

December 22, 1958 - May 9, 2022

Dad, grandpa, husband, son, brother, friend, man of God, chef, musician, fisherman, teacher, coach, electrician, plumber, painter, handyman, craftsman, artist, comic collector, Star Wars enthusiast — there are so many words to describe Glen Edward Ramkawsky, who passed away on May 9, 2022 at the age of 63 surrounded by family. The best word to capture Glen is joy. He radiated positivity with his glass half full optimism and his infectious smile. Glen thrived off of helping others whether it was helping his oldest son wire the electrical in his house, unclogging a sewer pipe for his daughter when she had Covid, building a new deck, spackling and drywalling his son’s kitchen, or bringing two boys into his home to raise them as his own. He gave the best advice and hugs that made you feel safe. He accepted without judgment and gave everything he had and more without complaint. Glen was a dedicated, loyal, and faithful man. He and his wife, Lauren, were approaching their 40th wedding anniversary having been married on July 4, 1982. Their marriage faced hard times as all marriages do, but they always chose to love one another through the good and the bad. Glen poured himself into making their house a home completing many of the improvements himself from exposing old beams to renovating the bathroom. They took turns enjoying the beach (Glen’s favorite) and the mountains (Lauren’s favorite) even going so far as hiking until Glen’s boots fell apart to a place where the food is brought in by llama train. They also kept Christ central in their lives. Glen demonstrated his faith not by proselytizing (although he loved to talk), but by action and example. Glen’s true way to express his love was through food. Glen was the executive chef at The Fiesta in Wood-Ridge, NJ for 38 years building a reputation of unwavering quality of food that was always served hot. He volunteered to cook for a Christian summer camp. He made vats of soup for the church’s Christmas event. He made flounder francese (with fresh parsley) for his family after a long day of fishing (Aiyeee!). He cooked his children’s favorites for their birthdays regardless of their requests. He made gluten free food taste good for his wife. He taught so many, including his children, how to cook over the years and did so with patience and kindness. Glen was also an amazing grandpa to 11 grandchildren (Kaija, Liam, Aeowyn, Myra, Ian, Tasya, Aravis, Geneve, Quinn, Julia, and Vera). Just as he was with his children, Glen was hands on and loved with all his heart. He took them fishing or out on the boat, ran with them on the beach, taught them how to play guitar and dive in a swimming pool, played catch or shot hoops, carried them on his shoulders, played a hand of rummy or a game of pool, and gave them ice cream at The Fiesta (green ice cream and Bosco chocolate syrup). Glen wrote songs for his grandchildren when he wasn’t playing rhythm guitar and singing backup with his band Common Conviction. He was proud of being a father and a grandfather and his legacy lives on through the family he loved and treasured. To say Glen will be missed is an understatement. The void he leaves in the lives of so many cannot be measured, but we are all left with cherished memories with him and the lessons he taught us. He is survived by his wife, Lauren; children, Gregory and wife Tamsen, Geoffrey and wife Linda, Kory Ann and husband Chris, Stephen, and Kyle Andrew; 11 grandchildren; mother, Mary Ann; brother, Gary; mother-in-law, Jean; and countless others including cousins and family through marriage. He is predeceased by his father, Vincent Ramkawsky; his father-in-law, William Odgers; his aunts and uncles Lorraine and Bruce Wheeler and Delia and Stephen Margiotta. A celebration of life will be held at The Chapel, 264 Jacksonville Road, Lincoln Park, NJ on June 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, we request donations in Glen’s name to The Great Falls Center (https://www.thegreatfallscenter.com/donate), where Glen had planned to volunteer to teach the culinary arts upon his retirement.”