Dr. Raymond E. Kennedy Jr, 34, of Highland Park, NJ, passed away suddenly on August 27th, 2023, in Los Angeles, California, while attending a medical conference. He was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he received care until his passing. Raymond (“Ray”) is survived by his loving wife, Lindsey Kennedy (nee Setaro), his parents, Raymond Kennedy Sr. and Margaret (Peggy) Kennedy, sister Kate Kennedy and husband Joe Geraci, sister Susan Kennedy and partner Whit Anderson, niece Nora Geraci and nephew Liam Geraci, father- and mother-in-law Bernard and Monica Setaro, sister-in-law Carly Manginelli and husband Anthony, beloved dog, Skipper, and bird Pineapple, as well as countless other family, friends, and colleagues that are left heartbroken. Ray was born in Montvale, New Jersey, on June 9th, 1989, to parents Raymond and Margaret Kennedy. He spent his early years in New Jersey before moving to Wisconsin at age 14. Ray graduated from the University of Wisconsin and Northeast Ohio Medical University, but ultimately returned to the East Coast for his residency in vascular surgery. It was during his first year of this residency that he met his wife, Lindsey. They fell in love and were married on September 9th, 2022. Ray truly excelled in his specialty and was the Chief Resident of Vascular Surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He had worked incredibly hard to finally be at this point in his surgical career, and was just months away from completing residency. Ray was ambitious, tenacious, and looked forward to a meaningful, bright career of helping others. Never one to waste a minute, in his exceedingly limited spare time Ray engaged in countless hobbies and interests. Ray was a licensed pilot, skilled sailor, recreational ice hockey athlete, and car aficionado. He was also a tutor to numerous students, and took great pride in each of his students’ successes, further exemplifying his passion for learning and knowledge. Ray had an infectious laugh and lived every day to the fullest. He valued the many people he met and friendships he made. He most loved spending time with Lindsey, visiting new places and dreaming of their future. It is important to note that Ray was an organ donor and would have been proud of his final legacy: saving people’s lives, just as he always intended to do. Ray’s family requests no flowers, and also wants to express their gratitude for the community’s overwhelming outpouring of support and generosity. Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 from 2:00pm-6:00pm at the Rezem Funeral Home, 457 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ, 08816.