NORWICH – Albert D. Ray, Sr. , 77, of Norwich, passed away after a brief illness Wednesday evening, June 24, 2015, in the Wilson Hospital of Johnson City.
Al was born in New Berlin, NY on August 6, 1937 the son of George and Myrtle (Cole) Ray Sr. He attended school in West Winfield and has called Norwich his home for the past 60 years. On May 16, 1958 in Norwich he married Beverly Kane who passed away August 28, 2012.
Al was employed for 37 years by the Norwich Shoe Company where he “did it all.” Not a man to sit idle he then became employed by Chenango Memorial Hospital where he worked in the housekeeping dept.
Al loved his family and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them. He always wanted to help, be it with the cooking, building a shed or tending to the garden. During his wife’s illness, Al remained by her side and did as much as he could for her and at the same time committed endless hours of himself to volunteerism to help others there and continuing until the time of his death.
Al is survived by his children; Albert Ray Jr. and wife Paula of Plymouth, JoAnn Snowden and husband Michael of Monticello, his grandchildren; Kara West, Satanya Snowden, Patrice Ray, Michael Snowden II, Taneka Snowden and Andrea Ray, his step-grandchildren Tori Coles, Tyler Ward, Tyah, Ronnie and Casey Schunk and his great grandchildren; Kevin West, Jasmine West, Caevion Fowler, Caeden Fowler, Saniya Santos and Ayva Snowden. Also surviving are his sisters and brothers; Irene Jaquay and husband LeeDue of Columbus, Evelyn Sabines of Oxford, Sharon Ray of Pittstown, his brothers Harold Ray of Oneonta, DeVares Ray of Hawaii, Daniel Ray and wife Erma of Burlington Flats, Michael Ray and companion Sana of Sherburne and Douglas Ray and wife Joan of New Berlin along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his wife Beverly, Al was predeceased by his daughter Jane Ray Schunk, brothers Clarence Ray, Eugene Ray, Lyndon (Pete) Ray, George Ray Jr. and sisters Beverly Eckert, Ruth Jones, Sandra Stringham and Mae Ray.
A funeral service for Al will be held on Monday, June 29, at noon from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Nancy Hale, Pastor of the Broad St. United Methodist Church of Norwich will officiate. Interment will be in the Mt.Hope Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.