In Memoriam: Former Fair Havenite Ray Chrisner, 78

Former Fair Havenite Raymond “Ray” John Chrisner passed away peacefully at home on July 22. He was 78.

“An avid sports fan, Ray channeled his passion into his kids, coaching their teams and taking them on his annual pilgrimage to the University of Michigan football games.
Off the field, Ray was always there for his kids whether it was help with a science fair project or a ‘no questions asked’ ride home from a party, they (and their friends in many cases) could always count on him.
Ray had a way with words that only an engineer could appreciate. He cherished his ability to be articulate yet ineloquent. Many regarded him as the unapologetic king of ‘dad-jokes.’ He was a master at crossword puzzles and a nightmare to watch Jeopardy with.
Loved ones of Ray Chrisner in his obituary

Born Aug. 10, 1942, to Frances and Michael Fill, and later adopted by Marlen Chrisner, Ray was raised in Youngstown and Detroit. In 1968, he graduated second in his class from Wayne State University with a BS in electrical engineering and received his master’s degree in electrophysics from the Polytechnic Institute of New York.

In 1969 Ray moved to New Jersey, where he and his former wife raised their two children, graduates of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, in Fair Haven and Shrewsbury.

Ray’s career ranged from studying the effects of nuclear fallout on computers for Booz Allen to overseeing the installation of underwater fiber-optic cables for AT&T and Tyco. His work brought him around the globe on countless international business trips.

Ray is survived by: his devoted wife, Chunyue, who took great care of him over the past few years; his former wife of 40 years and beloved mother of his children, Lynn Chrisner; his son, Eric; his daughter, Meghan, current Fair Haven Borough councilwoman, and her husband James; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be on held Friday, July 30, from 4 to 7p.m., with a service at 6:15 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Every Kid Sports: everykidsports.org or American Stroke Foundation: americanstroke.org.

— Edited obituary written by family via Thompson Memorial Home