Obituary of Raymond Kershaw

Raymond A. Kershaw, 67, Mayor of Freehold Township, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was born in Camden County, growing up in Mount Ephraim and had lived in Ashtabula, Ohio before moving to Freehold Township in 1975. Mayor Kershaw had served on the Freehold Township Committee since 1991. Appointed Mayor in January 2009, he had also previously held the position of Mayor in 1994, 1997 and 2003, as well as Deputy Mayor in 1992, 2000 and 2006. He currently chaired the Township's Social Services and Public Works sub-committees. He also served on the Township's Emergency Management Council, was a member of the Planning Board, and a former Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mayor Kershaw, as a Township Committee member responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Kershaw served as Vice Chairman of the town's Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Human Rights Council. He also served on the Board of Commissioners for the Manasquan River Regional Sewerage Authority and on the Board of Trustees of the "Good News Home for Women" in Flemington. In 1998, Mayor Kershaw represented the interests of Freehold Township residents during the Freehold Regional High School District's discussions on redistricting. He also worked with Township residents on the 2002 Freehold Regional High School Redistricting Committee. Mayor Kershaw was also active in local charities as evidenced by his work with the March of Dimes and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Mid-New Jersey Chapter. In 1998 and 2007, he was honored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society as Humanitarian of the Year. A graduate of Drexel University, Philadelphia, and a post graduate of Georgian Court University, Lakewood, Mayor Kershaw was a mechanical engineer in private industry for 32 years retiring in 1992. He was also a teacher at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Sandy Hook, Monmouth County Academy at High Tech High School, Brookdale, and the BioTech High School, Freehold Township. He was a member of the Sunrise Optimist Club. Mr. Kershaw was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and served as an assisting minister. He was consecrated as a deacon at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Old Bridge. He was predeceased by his parents, Merle and Raymond W. Kershaw. Ray will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him. Throughout his life, his generosity of spirit and his compassion to those in need was unparalleled. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; his devoted daughter, Susan M. Kershaw of Freehold Township; two adored granddaughters, Tara Vestyck and Lindsey Vestyck and her fiancée, Jeff Cuffs; two brothers, Albert Kershaw and his wife Maria of Mullica Hill, and Paul Kershaw of Thorofare; and several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June, 12 at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township. Friends and relatives are invited to attend his funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at Hope Lutheran Church, 211 Elton-Adelphia Road, Freehold Township, with Rev. Dr. Patricia Medley officiating. Entombment will follow in St. Gabriel Cemetery Mausoleum, Route 520, Marlboro. For those who desire, memorial contributions in memory of Ray may be made to the MS Center at CentraState Medical Center, 916 Route 33, Suite 6, Freehold, NJ 07728 and would be appreciated. For directions, information or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.