Raymond Aldao

Raymond J. Aldao JR, age 70, of Forest Hill, MD passed away on May 25, 2017 at his home. Born in Baltimore, he was the son of Raymond John and Anna Celia (Norris) Aldao.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served our country from 1966-1970. His first deployment on the ship was to Guantanamo Bay for carrier training for the ship's personnel. The second deployment was to Vietnam and served on the USS Forrestal during the catastrophic fire and explosions that occurred in the Gulf of Tonkin. His GQ station was in Engineering's Central Control, manning the communications to the aft steering compartments, one of which was severely damaged with a loss of personnel in the port steering section. After repairs were made to the ship, Ray made two more deployments. One cruise was to the Mediterranean and then another to Gitmo.

He returned to the decommissioned Forrestal in 1994 serving as Executive Vice President of the USS Forrestal Museum, Inc. This effort was a valiant attempt to save the ship after decommissioning as a naval heritage museum in Baltimore. Ray's principle responsibilities included major contributions into the museum's master plan. He was the principle guiding liaison in the minting of a commemorative medallion from the Franklin Mint for the museum.

He was the past president of the Maryland State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and was the present president of the Cecil County Chapter #722 of the VVA. He was also a Life Member of the Bel Air American Legion #39. He was a member of the Port Deposit Fire Department from 1981-1992, serving as a firefighter and an ambulance driver, and a member of the Jarrettsville VFC from 2013 to present as a support member and train garden member. Ray taught ballroom dancing at the Arthur Murray School of dance in Norfolk, VA. Ray was also a Boy Scout troop leader in the Baltimore area as well as an Eagle Scout.

Raymond retired, after 31 years of service, from BG&E on February 1, 2002 where he worked as a high voltage electrician. After retirement, he worked at Reuter Hanney Electrical as a high voltage electrical tester.

Mr. Aldao is survived by his wife, Teresa A. Grant Aldao; seven daughters, Annette Twadell of Coates, NC, Joyce Westbrook of North East, Kathryn Poisal of Ellicott City, Monica Aldao Petr of Parkville, Rebecca Aldao, April Fava of Bel Air and Jenn Grant of Fallston; brother, Skip Aldao of North Carolina; 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Steven Aldao.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Baltimore Area Council, 701 Wyman Park Drive, Baltimore MD 21211 or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1235 S. Clark Street, Arlington VA 22202.