Raymond John Chrisner passed away peacefully at home July 22, 2021. He was born Aug. 10, 1942, to Frances and Michael Fill and later adopted by Marlen Chrisner. Ray was raised in Youngstown, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. In 1968, he graduated second in his class from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and received his master’s degree in electrophysics from the Polytechnic Institute of New York.
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.
In 1969 Ray moved to New Jersey where he and his former wife raised their two children in Shrewsbury and Fair Haven. An avid sports fan, Ray channeled his passion into his kids, coaching their teams and taking them on his annual pilgrimage to University of Michigan football games. Off the field, Ray was always there for his kids; whether it was to 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.
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 and her husband James; and four grandchildren.
A memorial gathering with a service was held July 30 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Every Kid Sports at everykidsports.org or American Stroke Foundation at americanstroke.org.
The article originally appeared in the August 5 – 11, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
