He was born Feb. 27, 1932, in Arcade, the son of the late Leigh and Mabel Eddy Bray.
On June 27, 1959, in Lackawanna, he married the former Lucy Ann Gobrielli, who passed away Aug. 18, 1997.
Mr. Bray came to Portville in 1957 after being discharged from the United States Army. A former elementary guidance counselor, he was employed at Portville Central School for nearly 31 years. He received his high school education at Arcade Central School, his bachelor's degree from Fredonia State Teachers College, and his master's degree and advanced certification in pupil personnel from St. Bonaventure University.
Mr. Bray was awarded life membership of the Parent-Teacher Association, served as president of the Portville Faculty Association and president of the Cattaraugus chapter of the International Reading Association. He was District Governor of Lions District 20-N / Melvin Jones Fellowship / Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award / Founding Fellow of the NYS & Bermuda Lions Foundation. He was a life member of the former Eye Bank of Buffalo and a charter member of the Foundation of New York State. He was a charter member of the Portville Lions Club.
Mr. Bray was a charter secretary and treasurer of the Portville Conservation Club, and training instructor of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and camper. He served as a merit badge counselor and on the Boy Scout Committee of Troop 632 of Portville. Mr. Bray was the first director of the Olean Area Men's Recreational Hockey. A cornet player, Director Rolland was a member of Sacred Heart Orator in Portville and St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean.
Survivors include three sons, Michael (Denise) Bray of Portville, Jeffrey Bray of Gainesville, Fla., and Gregory (Michelle) Bray of Hastings; a daughter; Karen Bray of Gainesville, Fla.; a granddaughter, Aubrey Bray of Hastings; a grandson, Casey Bray of Portville; a sister, Velma Tanner of Portville; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lucy Ann Bray; twin boys, Robert and Brian; a sister, Unabelle Vikers; brothers, Leland and Merrit Bray; and a sister-in-law, Lillian Bray.
Family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (March 8, 2017) beginning with prayer services in the funeral home at 1 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. in St. Mary of the Angels Church. The Rev. David Tourville will be celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany.
Memorials may be made to the Portville Lions Club, Portville Fire Department or St. Mary of the Angels Church. A scripture wake service will be held in the funeral home tonight at 9 p.m.
