VETERAN

Robert Arthur Ray

August 28, 1918 – May 20, 1989

Lived 70 years

Mount Olivet · Watertown, CT

Favorite Visit

"I made a lot of mistakes, but I never made the same mistake twice." ~Jimmy Piersall

In service to country

Thank you for your service

Robert served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.

Life story

Robert Arthur Ray, 70, of 48 Center St., died Saturday at Waterbury Hospital. He was the husband of Jean (Boucher) Ray. Mr. Ray was born in Waterbury, Aug. 28, 1918, son of the late George and Florence (Ferguson) Ray, and had lived in Watertown for 36 years, prior to which he lived for many years in Waterbury. He worked for more than 40 years as a pressman for the Waterbury Republican-American, retiring in 1983.

Mr. Ray was a baseball and basketball start at St. Mary's Parochial School and later at Wilby High Scheel, where he captained both teams under the late Jimmy Lee.

He played minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies organization, signing a professional contract after starring in the City Amateur League as a third baseman.

He later coached the Republican-American softball team of the Industrial League and also coached in the city parochial school league.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Oakville Post 7330, the Disabled American Veterans, and a veteran of the U.S. Army of World War II. He was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waterbury.

Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, George R. Ray of Encino, Calif. and P.J. Ray of Watertown; one daughter, Cynthia Anne Halliwell of Watertown; two sisters, Mrs. Roy (Dorothy) Bates of Oakville, Mrs. Joseph (Eleanore) Madore of Bridgeport; 3 granddaughters, several nieces and nephews.

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