Zexian Shao Obituary

Zexian Shao, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Medical Center at 4:50 p.m. on May 19, 2026, at the age of 93.

Born in Anhui, China, Mr. Shao lived a life marked by resilience, kindness, integrity, and deep devotion to his family. He often shared vivid memories of his childhood and youth with his grandchildren and close friends, offering stories filled with wisdom, history, and life experience. Known for his gentle temperament, willingness to help others, and strong sense of fairness, he earned deep respect from his colleagues, friends, and family members.

Mr. Shao graduated from the Central Youth School in Beijing in the 1950s, where he developed strong literary and communication skills that supported him throughout his career. As a young man, he endured significant unfair treatment during a difficult political period, yet he always stood firmly for fairness, dignity, and principle.

One of the proudest achievements of his life occurred when he was in his twenties. During years of widespread hardship and hunger, he helped rescue and care for nearly one hundred orphaned children from extremely poor rural villages. He once shared with friends that, during those difficult years, he was fortunate to survive for a long period on carrots, which helped sustain his life. Since then, he rarely ate carrots again. He remained deeply proud of having helped so many children survive during that challenging time.

He was married to his beloved wife, Aizhi Liu, for more than 60 years. Throughout their marriage, they supported, cared for, and stood by each other through every stage of life. Together, they built a loving home and raised four children. He embraced his role as a husband and father wholeheartedly and served as a role model through his patience, kindness, attention to detail, and devotion to each family member.

Mr. Shao practiced meditation for more than 40 years, maintaining good health, inner peace, and spiritual strength throughout his life. This lifelong practice became an example he passed on to his sons, daughters, and grandchildren.

Mr. Shao spent most of his life in China and later settled with his family in the Watchung Mountain area. He enjoyed a peaceful lifestyle filled with gardening, spending time with his grandchildren, meditation, and yard work.

He is survived by his wife, Aizhi Liu; his sons, David and Guang; his daughters, Jian and Yuanyuan; his grandsons, Gan Shao and Kevin Shao; and his granddaughters, Nan Zhang, Lanxin Zhang, Xirui Liu, Kaiqi Shao, and Amy Shao.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who will forever cherish his love, strength, kindness, and devotion. His legacy lives on through the family traditions he created and the family he lovingly led, nurtured, and inspired.

A private service for the family will be held at Higgins Home for Funerals in Watchung. Cremation will take place at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge on May 26, 2026.

Mr. Shao will live forever in the hearts of those who loved him. May he rest peacefully in Heaven.