Raymond O. Helm Jr.

October 25, 2020

Raymond O. Helm, Jr. was born in Teaneck, N.J. on April 1, 1938. He joined the United States Army serving in the 7th division, 13 Combat Engineers in 1957 and last served in Korea. He worked in Quality Control until retiring from Ford Motor Company in 1988. Ray was head usher at noon Mass at St. Joseph R. C. Church in Toms River for over 50 years. Ray was a man of strong faith and a big believer in prayer. If there was ever a person or animal in need, he was quick to react with a most humble act of kindness. Ray adored watercolor painting, fishing, kayaking, camping, woodworking, building and painting train sets, spending time in his gardens and with the fish in his ponds. If something needed to be fixed, he was your man to go to. He was a fierce protector and incredible cheerleader. He was a man who was not afraid to get his hands dirty while completing a task one moment and would be coloring, painting or drawing with one of the children the next. He was known to sit patiently while a child adorned him with bows and barrettes. To know Ray Helm was to know kindness, compassion, and love. He was predeceased by son Raymond John Helm. He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Patricia Ann McDonnell Helm and 3 children Steven P. Helm of Middletown, N.J., Maureen P. DeSanto of Island Heights, N.J., and Eileen Helm of Howell, N.J.; sisters Jacqueline Reininghaus of Whiting, N.J., Karen Germaine of Stuart, Fl and Barbara Walker of Gloversville, N.Y.; 5 grandchildren Carly amd Colin Helm, Owen and Lauren DeSanto and Olivia Worman. Visitation hours will he held from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday October 29, 2020 and 10:00am to 11:00am on Friday October 30, 2020 at “The Family Owned” Carmona-Bolen Home for Funerals located on 412 Main St., Toms River, NJ 08753. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday October 30, 2020 at 11:30am at St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ. In Lieu of Flowers the family requests you make a donation in Ray's name to a charity of your choice.