Raymond Stanley Peters, 82, of Belvidere, NJ, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 8, 2021.
Ray was born March 8, 1939 in Somerville NJ to Wanda and Stanley Peters in Somerville, NJ and raised in Manville, NJ with his younger brother, Ron. His love of animals, science, and the outdoors led him to study animal husbandry at The National Farm School in Doylestown, PA (Delaware Valley University) after graduating from Dunellen High School. Ray further earned a Master’s Degree in Education at Trenton State College, while serving in the United States Army Reserve from 1963-1969.
Ray shared his passion and knowledge of science in the most honorable way a person can, as an educator. He spent over 30 years as a science teacher in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District. He spent most of those years teaching high school students at Bridgewater-Raritan West High School.
Ray met the love of his life, Rosemarie Lipoma, in 1962 and they wed in January 1965. Together, they raised two children, Jason, and Meredith, in Neshanic NJ and spent 57 extraordinary and adventurous years together as a loving couple.
Every summer, Ray would hitch up his travel trailer and take the family camping in New England, stopping at every antique shop along the way for his wife, Rosemarie. Ray planned a cross country adventure one summer for his family, creating some of the best memories that Rosemarie, Meredith and Jason still reminisce about.
Ray was a highly skilled craftsman and could design, and build, anything he imagined. His skills and business acumen built a thriving horse trailer repair business, “Stan-Raye Trailers”. He spent his evenings, weekends, and summers working on horse trailers for his extensive and loyal customer base. His son, Jason, picked up his building and mechanical skills from his father while working along side of him.
Ray passed down his love of horses to his daughter, Meredith. He spent countless hours shuttling Meredith and her horse to shows around the state. He was also a rodeo fan and would often pack up his family on a Saturday night for the two-hour drive to Cowtown Rodeo in Woodstown, NJ.
Ray was a passionate fly fisherman and could often be found in the streams of Pulaski, NY, with his best friend, Steve Selody. Ray enjoyed tying flies and opened a small fly-tying business called Ray’s Fly Shop when he was just a teen.
Everyone knew Ray as a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, who shared his passions with all throughout his life.
Ray was predeceased by his parents, Wanda, and Stanley Peters. He is survived by his loving wife, Rosemarie Peters, daughter, Meredith Peters and her husband Peter Kade of Milford, NJ, his son, Jason Peters, and spouse, Mary Thornton, of Changewater, NJ. Ray is also survived by his brother, Ron Peters, Ron’s wife, Gail; his sister- in-law, Esther Condo; his many loving nieces and nephews, Alice Condo, Joseph Condo (wife Karen), Teresa Condo, Howard Condo, Ashley Condo, Caitlin Condo, Joey Condo, Anthony Horowitz, David Peters (wife Carolyn).
Visiting hours will be held at Cusick Funeral Home in Somerville, NJ on Thursday, November 11 from 10:30-11:30 am followed by a private ceremony at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mylestone Equine Rescue in Phillipsburg, NJ.