Throughout their lives, Dr. Lawrence Ragone and Anna Marie Ragone have been devoted advocates for positive change in Camden, New Jersey, and the surrounding communities. Born in Camden in 1928, Dr. Ragone was a proud product of the Camden school system culminating in his graduation from Camden High School. He graduated from nearby Temple University and earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1953. 

He began his optometry practice in 1956, initially in Camden and later in Cherry Hill. Deeply committed to serving the underserved and uninsured, Dr. Ragone founded the South Jersey Eye Center in 1961 and led the organization as President and CEO for 55 years. His mission was simple yet profound: to ensure that everyone had access to quality vision care, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. Under his leadership, the Center provided more than 450,000 patient visits and introduced vital programs such as Sight First for Kids and Families, Sight for Seniors, and provided free and low-cost comprehensive eye care programs including identification and treatment for lazy eye, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, and low vision services for the visually impaired.

As a consultant to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Ragone launched eye care programs in Regional Health Centers across the county, reaching children, adults, and seniors alike.

Dr. Ragone was also highly engaged in both professional and service organizations. Appointed by the Governor, he served on the New Jersey State Board of Optometry from 1972 to 1976 and was a member of the New Jersey Optometric Education Advisory Committee. A dedicated member of the Order of Sons of Italy since 1956, he helped organize the Cherry Hill Lodge in 1982 and served as its president from 1998 to 2001. He also served as a Grand Council trustee and was named State Trustee Emeritus.

In addition, Dr. Ragone was a devoted member of the International Association of Lions Clubs for over 65 years, where he held numerous leadership roles including Past District Governor and Past Council Chairperson. From 1990 to 1994, he served as New Jersey State Chairman for Campaign Sight First, a Lions International initiative that raised $200 million to combat preventable and reversible blindness around the world.

Dr. Ragone's contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Humanitarian Award from the Vita Nuova Lodge, Alumnus of the Year from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the Lions Club International President’s Award, and commendations from both the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate, as well as Camden County. He was also the recipient of the Dr. E.C. Nurock Award—the New Jersey Optometric Association’s highest honor—along with the Camden County Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Medal, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Campbell Soup Foundation, and induction into the Camden Schools Foundation Hall of Fame.

Anna Marie Ragone, a Camden native, also a proud product of the city’s school system, graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. After completing business school, she advanced to an executive position at an esteemed insurance agency in Center City, Philadelphia. Anna Marie was deeply involved in community service, serving as chairperson of the Lions Women’s Auxiliary Club. She also led numerous fundraising events for the Lions Club and, alongside her husband, co-created and managed the Visually Impaired Children’s Holiday Shopping Event for over 40 years.

Dr. Lawrence & Anna Marie Ragone were happily married for 58 years until Anna Marie’s passing in 2011.