Obituary for Ronald Wray
Ronald “Ron” Wray, age 88 of Chelmsford passed away after a period of declining health on August 1, 2020. Beloved husband and soulmate of Janet (Appelin) with whom he recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. Their relationship was a "true love story". To all who knew him, Ron will be remembered as the kindest and humblest man.
He was the son of the late Walter Wray of Shipley, England and Hazel Black of Monckton, Nova Scotia who had resided in Quincy, MA and brother of the late Walter Wray Jr., Raynham MA.
Devoted father to Melinda Sowizral and her husband Paul, and Christina Wolf and her husband David. Loving grandfather to Tory, Tyler, Indigo and Gus. Also, survived by his two nephews Jeffrey Wray of Raynham, MA and David Wray of Cumberland, RI.
His true passion was his family. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, perform on the stage, and loved hearing about their many adventures.
Ron graduated from North Quincy High School and was inducted into the school’s football Hall of Fame. Awarded a football scholarship, he attended Brown University and then transferred to Northeastern University to study Civil Engineering. He later earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from RPI.
He served in the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant with the 249th Engineer Battalion in Germany. After the service he worked at Avco and Teledyne Engineering Services (where he rose to Vice President), and continued as a consultant well into his 80’s. He was a charter member of the Chelmsford Minuteman and enjoyed playing in the Fife and Drum Corps.
Ron and Jan traveled extensively through Europe, where they reminisced about the 18 months they lived in Germany with the Army. He especially enjoyed summer vacations with his extended family on Martha’s Vineyard, and was an avid Patriots fan.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.
Services will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org
He was the son of the late Walter Wray of Shipley, England and Hazel Black of Monckton, Nova Scotia who had resided in Quincy, MA and brother of the late Walter Wray Jr., Raynham MA.
Devoted father to Melinda Sowizral and her husband Paul, and Christina Wolf and her husband David. Loving grandfather to Tory, Tyler, Indigo and Gus. Also, survived by his two nephews Jeffrey Wray of Raynham, MA and David Wray of Cumberland, RI.
His true passion was his family. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, perform on the stage, and loved hearing about their many adventures.
Ron graduated from North Quincy High School and was inducted into the school’s football Hall of Fame. Awarded a football scholarship, he attended Brown University and then transferred to Northeastern University to study Civil Engineering. He later earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from RPI.
He served in the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant with the 249th Engineer Battalion in Germany. After the service he worked at Avco and Teledyne Engineering Services (where he rose to Vice President), and continued as a consultant well into his 80’s. He was a charter member of the Chelmsford Minuteman and enjoyed playing in the Fife and Drum Corps.
Ron and Jan traveled extensively through Europe, where they reminisced about the 18 months they lived in Germany with the Army. He especially enjoyed summer vacations with his extended family on Martha’s Vineyard, and was an avid Patriots fan.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.
Services will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org