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Das' Creamery in Budd Lake, New Jersey, remembers employee killed in car accident

2 minute read

An ice cream shop in Morris County is mourning the loss of a teenage employee who died in a car accident over the weekend.

Das' Creamery in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive paid tribute to Cameron Ray by remembering him in a Facebook post Sunday evening. According to New Jersey State Police, 19-year-old Ray was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Route 80 in Denville early this morning.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the unexpected loss of our Cam,” the dairy wrote in the post. “He was a force of nature – a heart full of love and kindness and an energy that uplifted everyone around him.”

Mount Olive Mayor Joe Nicastro expressed his condolences to everyone who knew Ray, who lived in the Flanders section of the community, in a Facebook post Monday morning.

“Our prayers go out to the family of Cameron Ray on their loss,” Nicastro wrote. “Today I send you strength and peace for all the days to come.”

Ray was traveling west on Route 80 around 5:40 a.m. Sunday when he crashed into the rear of a box truck parked on the side of the road, Sgt. Charles Marchan told NorthJersey.com. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries in the accident, which are still under investigation.

Das' post highlighted Ray's “infectious enthusiasm for life,” which included a strong sense of humor and a “passionate loyalty” to the store.

“His spirit was one of boundless joy and optimism,” the post reads, “and he was the first to lift others up when they needed it most.”

Many customers commented on the dairy's views in the comments section. They remembered Ray's polite, helpful and patient customer service and, most importantly, his satisfaction.

“He was always the friendliest with a big smile, great with our kids especially our three year old whenever we came to Das,” one user wrote.

“This boy always had a smile on his face when I saw him at work,” wrote another. “Loved his job, his colleagues and the customers!”

Renée Dimonda, an employee of Das', called Ray “the nicest person ever” in a comment on the dairy's Instagram post. She was always happy whenever she had an appointment with Ray, adding that she and her colleagues considered him to be the best person in the workshop.

“When I said goodbye this summer to go back to college, I didn’t know it would be the last,” Dimonda wrote. “We will miss your smile, miss how good you were at your job and how you could always put a smile on everyone’s face.”

The dairy noted that Ray was always able to lift the spirits of everyone he met. Now his loved ones hope his memory can lift their spirits after his death.

“To say he will be missed doesn’t begin to capture the void he leaves behind,” the post said. “Rest in peace, dear friend. You will live on in our hearts forever.”

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