Ronald J. Sheay, 86, of Stockton, New Jersey and long-time summer resident of Southport, died of a massive stroke on April 5.

He was born in Newark, New Jersey and graduated from West Orange High in 1951. He received a B. S. in forestry from the University of Maine in 1955 and later joined the New Jersey Forest Service and had a 30-year career assisting private forestland owners in the management of their woodlands. He was a founding member of the New Jersey Forestry Association and upon his retirement, he became the association’s executive secretary for the next 11 years. He was active with the New Jersey Tree Farm program, and received the Silas Little Forestry award from the New Jersey Division, Society of American Foresters, was a past chair of the Allegheny SAF and was a Fellow in the Society of American Foresters.

An ardent supporter of the University of Maine, he was president and founder of the N.J. University of Maine Alumni Chapter from 1985-2019 and received the prestigious Black Bear Award for his outstanding services to the university.

He was a member of All Saints by-the-Sea, Southport, serving on its governing body and was a member of the Southport Yacht Club. He enjoyed golf and bridge and spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren.

He leaves his wife, Virginia, an Episcopal priest; his son, Glenn and daughter-in-law, Lynne; a daughter, Wendy, and son-in-law, Jim Hutzelmann; and five grandchildren, Emerald, Jade and Tony Sheay, and Nathan and Sonya Hutzelmann. A son, Bradford, predeceased him.

A memorial service at All Saints by-the-Sea is pending.