Raymond Palermo Shebell, Jr. (RJ) was tragically taken from us on February 28 at the young age of 26. Born on August 12, 1999, to Michelle Carpenter and Raymond P. Shebell, Sr., Ray Jr. was a gentle, kind and curious old soul. As the fifth child, he developed a tremendous sense of humor and a fierce independence.

He loved animals of every shape and size and was a dedicated caretaker to many, most notably, his childhood cat, Bailey who was his partner in crime for 14 years. He was a passionate learner, embracing history and diverse cultures. Ray was an excellent student, graduating from Point Pleasant High School in 2017, earning a BA in history from Stockton University in 2021, and he was just months away from obtaining a Master's Degree in Library Science from Rutgers University.

Ray enjoyed cooking, cycling, swimming, and spending time with friends and family. He was also a music lover with the Grateful Dead being his favorite band. Inspired by his father and oldest brother, Bobby, he became an avid weight lifter. He was a gaming enthusiast and developed lasting friendships throughout the world-wide community.

Recently he resumed residency in Colts Neck while serving as a Library Assistant in Howell. We will forever cherish the humorous tales of his adventures with the Monmouth County Library System. Perhaps the most significant development of his library career was the love and friendship he shared with his girlfriend, Mae Lin Tang.

Ray is survived by his devoted parents, Michelle Carpenter and Raymond and AK Shebell; his beloved siblings Robert and Danielle Klimowicz, Nicholas and Emily Klimowicz, Shannon and Rob Drexel, and Merissa Shebell and her partner Ethan Schwartz; his adorable niece and nephews, Tommy, Sienna and Danny; his loving grandmother Mary Carpenter; his cherished aunt and uncles, Sandra Chandonnet, Patricia Shebell, Mary Shebell and Merle McCormick, Mary Carpenter, Tom and Jeannie Carpenter, and Joanne and Edward Tonini; and his numerous treasured cousins. Ray was predeceased by his grandparents, Mary and Tom Shebell, Leon (Tom) Carpenter, and uncle, Tom Shebell.

A wake will be held on Thursday, March 5, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 6, at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, One Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, NJ, immediately followed  by his entombment at Holmdel Mausoleum, 900 Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ.

A celebration of life will follow the internment at the Colts Neck Fire House, 50 Conover Road, Colts Neck, NJ.