Obituary of Robert Ray

Robert W. "Bob" Ray, 91, went to be with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Friday Dec. 5, 2014. He was born March 13, 1923 and grew up in Katonah, N.Y. He moved to Delhi in 1942 to attend what was then called 'The Ag School' for poultry management. He enlisted in the U.S. Army 1943 and was the first Katonah serviceman to return home in December of 1945. He came back to Delhi to finish his education and met Lois Alta Wilson who became his wife. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage. Together, they established Ray Plumbing & Heating, Inc. which they operated for nearly 40 years. One of his main past times was music, a passion he shared with his father. Bob played drums in concert and marching bands all of his life. His fondest time in music was when he played in the Delhi Fire Department Band which he played in from the time he joined the fire department. He played in the Delhi Community Band in the 60's and later, the Delaware County Community Band. His love of music is carried on by his son Rick, daughter Helen, and granddaughter Sarah. March of 2015 would have marked his 60th year in the fire department. During his time in the department, he was Chemical Company Captain, Chaplain, Chief, ambulance driver, Fire Police Captain. While Chief, the most trying time came one December when they rolled the trucks ninety-three times in the month. Bob was still serving as Chaplain and responding to day calls five weeks before his death. Bob served as President of the Delaware County Fire Police Association, a group of people that he became very close to. He really liked serving with them as part of the many volunteers that help make the Delaware County Fair the great fair that it is. In 1983, he got the bug for an antique fire apparatus and purchased a very run down 1926 Ahrens Fox NS-4 pumper which had previously served in the Niles Center (now part of Skokie), Illinois Fire Department. Vacation funds were used to renovate the Fox. He had the truck in local parades and demonstrated it to many people at the Antique Engine Shows each September at Hanford Mills Museum. Bob's community service was not limited to the just the fire services. He was Water Commissioner for the Village of Delhi and later Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church (later 'The United Ministry') and taught Sunday School for several years. His final position with the Village was as a school crossing guard. Bob was also a member of the Delhi VFW. Bob was predeceased by a granddaughter, Gabrielle Ray in 1986; a daughter-in-law, Cherilyn (West) in 1998; his wife, Lois Alta (Wilson) in 2012 and his brother, Frederick G. Ray in 2014. His is survived by his son Rick and his wife Susan (Pegg) and their children Nathan, Benson, Jennifer, and Sarah; his daughter Helen and her husband Bruce Van Houten and their son Michael and his wife Aimee (Hughes) and their children Joseph, Haylee, Benjamin, and Gabriel; special daughter Kay Richards; and special daughter Eileen and her husband Mark Dougherty and their daughter Michele and her husband Ryan Sherwood; as well as a whole bunch of nieces and nephews. The family greatly appreciates the help received from the various Hospice nurses and the staff and nurses from Round The Clock Nursing. They are also very gratified by and very thankful to all those who visited and supported Bob during his decline. Flowers are appreciated as are donations to the Delhi Fire Department, PO Box 405, Delhi, NY 13753; Salvation Army, 25 River Street, Oneonta, USO at www.USO.org and/or Catskill Area Hospice, 116 Main Street, Delhi, NY. Friends and family are invited to the interment with graveside services for Lois A. (Wilson) Ray, who passed away on May 29, 2012, and Robert W. Ray, who passed away December 5, 2014. Robert will receive full military honors. The service will be held at 2PM on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Woodland Cemetery, Orchard Street, Delhi with Rev. Dr. Duane D. Buddle officiating. If the weather permits, the Rays will travel to the cemetery in their restored 1926 Ahrens Fox Fire Engine, escorted by the members of the Delhi Fire Department.