Raul I. Miranda

2/23/1946 – 1/21/2024

Raul Isidoro Miranda, also affectionately known by his family as Papa Raul, was born in Pungala, Ecuador, and was raised as the only son of Rosa and Salvador Miranda. Later in life, his career would lead him to move to Riobamba, Ecuador where he was a Superintendent managing projects as building schools, new roadways, and other developments. As fate would have it, in his early 30’s he met the woman who would be the love of his life and future wife when seeking a seamstress to hem his clothes. It was described as “love at first sight” for him and he would make every excuse to go to the shop to have his clothes mended by her. She recalls him riding his bike by the store front regularly, just to catch a glimpse of her. After courting her for many months, he married his lifelong partner, Dolores Miranda, in October 1979 and was blessed with 45 years of marriage. They had two daughters and raised two sons.

In 1980, their journey led them to start a new life together in the United States. Caring for his family was always his main focus in life, and he loved his children immensely. He had a fulfilling career at Kimbal Medical Center for over 17 years, and all those who worked with him were like family. He worked immensely hard to provide for his family and pay for furthering the education of his daughters, as their education was extremely important to him. A dedicated patron of St. Anthony Claret Parish in Lakewood, NJ, he served as a Knight of Columbus. His Catholic faith was a staple in his life, and he made sure his family attended Sunday service regularly. His life’s enjoyment included spending every holiday, birthday celebration, graduations and all special occasions surrounded by his family, good food, drinks and traditional Ecuadorian music. Carnaval was very dear to him, and one of his favorite times to celebrate, as it reminded him of his time living in Ecuador.

Summers were spent on one of the many beaches along the Jersey Shore, as he was an avid beachgoer, who enjoyed relaxing in the sand after long hard workdays and enjoying time off with his family on the weekends. His love for traveling encouraged many family vacations over the years, whether it was short trip to Wildwood, NJ, or a long drive to Florida visiting Disney World, or flying back home to Ecuador, where he immersed his children in the culture, food, music and remaining family. As a vast animal lover, he always dreamed of owning a farm and raising many different animals.

He was predeceased by his mother, Rosa Delia Barahona and Father, Salvador Miranda. He leaves behind to cherish his memories his loving wife, Dolores Miranda-Guerrero, his children, Mayra Lewis (sp. Richard Lewis), Rosa Miranda, Angel Avila (sp. Vanessa Quintanilla), Hector Martinez (sp. Laura Orozco), his grandchildren, Cataleya Rose Lewis, Tommy Martinez, Hector Gabriel Martinez, Janet Martinez, and Crystal Martinez; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.

A visitation for Raul will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to

9:00 PM at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753. A funeral mass will occur Friday, February 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph's Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753. A committal service will follow on Friday, February 2, 2024 at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 62 Cedar Grove Rd., Toms River, NJ 08753.

You may send flowers or donate to a cause in memory of our father to the American Diabetes Association at the following link: : http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=17939217&pg=personal&fr_id=13740