About Ray

Ray Festa was born, raised and remained a lifelong resident of Montclair, New Jersey. A 1957 Montclair High School graduate, Ray was an outstanding athlete and a committed leader in all aspects of high school life. As an adult, Ray was the owner of Ray’s Luncheonette, a beloved lunch spot for many local high school students and all members of surrounding communities. Ray’s Luncheonette became the place to be - a gathering place for fun, conversation, community involvement and relaxation – all in a wholesome, friendly environment. Ray’s business embodied his values – family, community involvement, sports, and the development of young people – and Ray became a large part of the fabric of the Montclair community.

At the young age of 53, Ray was taken from friends and loved ones as a result of melanoma. The Ray Festa Melanoma Foundation was created to continue Ray’s commitment to young people and the community by supporting the education of everyone ages 12 and older on the importance of early detection and prevention of melanoma.