Neal Richard Sharkey passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Neal, known by his friends as Richard, was born at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey on June 17, 1940 to Cornelius and Madeline Sharkey. Also, to welcome him was his sister Sonja.

Richard spent his younger years living in Leonardo and went to Saint Agnes Church and elementary school. He graduated from Middletown Township High School in 1960.

Richard always had a love for horses and enjoyed grooming and training them. He was a proficient horseman and well known in the racing circles. He became interested in owning and training “trotters” and even competed in many races himself.

As a young man he learned to install carpeting and work for many years in his cousin’s carpet business. Most recently he worked for Bob Ebner’s Carpet Center in Red Bank.

Richard was a quiet man and enjoyed his horses and cats and a good cup of morning coffee along with a donut at Dunkin Donuts.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 9:30 am until his funeral service at 10:30 am Saturday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 882 Broadway, West Long Branch. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724.

“The youth walks up to the white horse, to put its halter on
and the horse looks at him in silence.
They are so silent. They are in another world.”

By DH Lawrence