Ray Chaapel

Ray Chaapel, 53, of Grover, PA. passed away on January 18^th, 2021 at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA. Ray was born on January 23, 1967 in Blossburg, PA, a son to the late Raymond H. Chaapel and the late Paula A. (Wooster) Chaapel.

Ray was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He loved rock and roll music and would often make up lyrics to songs that would make people laugh. He had a passion for working on small engines and John Deere tractors. He also loved to ride motorcycles. He adored his little cock-a-poo Dudley who often was found by Ray’s side.

As a young boy, Ray was always tinkering on things he built. Humorous memories include Ray constructing a small raft and using his sister and several select friends as test passengers to see if it would float. Kitrina remembers Ray conducting an experiment by shaving a teddy bear’s hair completely off to see if it would grow back. He said, “Don’t worry little sis, it will grow back”…which it did not! Ray pulled the “severed finger-in-a-box trick” on younger sister Kelli using ketchup as blood. To this day, Kelli will not use ketchup! Despite all of his childhood antics, Ray grew up to be an exceptional man.

Though never having children of his own, he always cared for his nieces and nephew like they were his own. Ray would take them on trips to the “North Pole”, four-wheeling, hunting in the woods, frequent visits to his veal farm and spending quality time playing games together with Nana and Pop.

During a brief 4-year move to North Carolina is where he met his loving partner, Stephanie. Shortly thereafter, they would move back to Ray’s childhood residence in Grover and call it home.

Ray had a heart of gold and loved his family very much. He was a protective and fun-loving big brother, fun-loving uncle, a loving son and a loyal friend to many.

The words Ray spoke he made sure they counted. Kelli remembers the many hours on the phone they would spend discussing just about everything. Ray always liked being a little naughty but had a big heart.

Ray’s last message was through a zoom call just a few hours before he passed. He made it a point to share this message of love…”Do not let the small things stop you from embracing your loved ones and not to hold any grudges. Life is too short…”

Ray is survived by his loving partner, Stephanie C. Bradley of Grover, PA., sisters Kitrina M. Chaapel and partner Christopher of Macungie, PA., Kelli L. Chaapel and partner Amy of Lehighton, PA., nieces Brianna N. Rivera, Eugene, OR., Brittany L. Chaapel, Altoona, PA., nephew Sebastian R. Rivera Macungie, PA., great nieces, Eliana and Lyra, a few beloved aunts and uncles and several loving cousins.

Memorial services to be held at Grover Church of Christ, 498 Grover RD., Grover, PA., 17735 on Saturday February 6^th. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, with services at 1:00PM. Interment at Leroy cemetery will follow at a later date.

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