Robert J. Dray Sr

Stratham – Robert J. Dray, Sr., 88, of Stratham, died Friday, August 14, 2015 at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. He was born in Boston, MA on March 31, 1927 a son of the late George A. and Freda (Schmidt) Dray. Bob was raised in Stoughton, MA and graduated from Stoughton High School with the Class of 1945 and from Boston College in 1949. He continued for another year at Boston College Law School. He was a veteran of WW II serving with the US Navy. Mr. Dray was employed as an independent insurance broker and was a founding partner of the firm Business and Industry Insurance Company retiring at age 80 after 30 years of service. In his earlier years, he was employed by the 3M Company, New England Mutual Life Insurance Co., and served as a vice president for Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. He raised his family in both Taunton and Easton, MA and has resided in Stratham the past 25 years. He was a daily communicant and lector at St. Michael Parish in Exeter, member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2179 of Exeter, and served on the board of directors for New Generation in Greenland, and Seacoast Birthright in Portsmouth. He would have shared 64 years of marriage this coming November with his wife, Elaine M. (McDonough) Dray also of Stratham. He leaves eight loving children: Joanie Dray of Stratham, Robert Dray, Jr., MD and wife Deborah of Lascassas, TN, Mark Dray and wife Susan of Easton, MA, Carol Greise and husband Mark of Santa Ynez, CA, Mary O’Connor and husband Walter of Westwood, MA, Deborah Gardiner and husband Kelly of Duncan, SC, Martha Dray and partner Sherry Sabins of Groveland, MA, Paul Dray and wife Colleen of Napa, CA. In addition, Bob leaves seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, two brothers, Alfred Dray of Deerfield, MA and Edward Dray of Kauai, HI along with the families’ nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Hunt. Visiting hours will from 5-8 P.M. Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 A.M. Thursday, August 20, 2015 at St. Michael Parish, corner of Lincoln and Front streets, Exeter. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: New Generation, PO Box 676, Greenland, NH 03840 http://www.newgennh.org/donate/make-a-donation-online/; Seacoast Birthright, 323 Islington Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, http://birthright.org/en/landingpage/lp-seacoast. Knights of Columbus Council 2179, 9 Lincoln Street, Exeter, NH 03833 or Wounded Warrior Project, Long Term Support Trust, Attn: Steven Nardizzi , 4899 Belfort Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/;

Robert J. Dray Sr

March 31, 1927 - August 14, 2015