Obituaries

Raymond Joseph Shea passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 70 after a long illness. Ray was born in St. Louis on June 22, 1955, to the late David Edward Shea, Sr. and the late Betty Lou (nee Lanig) Shea. Beloved father of Chelsea Shea (Tim Pequignot) and Alexis. Dear brother of David, Jr. (Ann) and Mary Ann. Loving uncle, cousin, and friend.

Ray graduated from Mercy High School in 1973 and went on to study Communications and Theatre at University of Missouri-St. Louis. Ray’s greatest passion was community theatre. He performed in over 130 productions with more than 20 different companies, including Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, Columbia Entertainment Company (Columbia, MO), Alpha Players, Hawthorne Players, West End Players Guild, ACT Inc., Monroe Actors’ Stage Company (Waterloo, IL), New Jewish Theatre, Over Due Theatre Company, and Maplewood Barn Theatre (Columbia, MO).

A few of Ray’s favorite roles included Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof), Captain von Trapp (The Sound of Music), Nathan Detroit (Guys and Dolls), Dr. William Chumley (Harvey), Horace Vandergelder (Hello Dolly), Jud Fry (Oklahoma!), David Malter (The Chosen), Oscar (The Odd Couple), Rocky (Damn Yankees), Merv Kant (The Sisters Rosensweig) and Doc Porter (Crimes of the Heart). His most cherished theatrical experience was appearing on stage with his daughter, Chelsea, in June Groom at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.

Ray was a passionate St. Louis Blues fan, an avid reader, comic enthusiast, environmentalist, and a lover of classical music and showtunes.

A graveside service is planned for Friday, September 26 at 11 a.m. at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, go see a play, and please consider a gift in memory of Ray to Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, webstergrovestheatreguild.com, or to Columbia Entertainment Company, www.cectheatre.org.

“I go to the hills when my heart is lonely. I know I will hear what I've heard before. My heart will be blessed with the sound of music, and I'll sing once more.”