C. Robert "Bob" Wray

MASHPEE — C. Robert (Bob) Wray, K.M, 78, of North Falmouth and Mashpee, formerly of Naples, Fla., died Aug. 30, 2008, at his Mashpee residence, after a long illness.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bob was educated at Brooklyn Technical High School. He attended University of Notre Dame, where he played basketball and received his Bachelor of Arts in History in 1952. The following year, he was awarded a fellowship for graduate study and coached freshman basketball.

Navy service from 1953 to 1958 followed. He was discharged at the rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves, after serving abroad the USS O'Brien LD 725 in the Pacific Fleet and instructor at Officers Candidate School in Newport, R.I. His Master of Arts from Notre Dame in Modern European History was completed in 1958 after his discharge.

Bob devoted his life after the Navy to 38 years of working with and guiding young people of the teenage years, first at Canterbury School in New Milford, Conn., where he spent seven years as Walter Sheehan's assistant headmaster. That was followed by seven years as headmaster of Villa Duschene, Convent of the Sacred Heart, in St. Louis, Mo. His last school was Stoneleigh Burnham School for girls in Greenfield, where he was headmaster for 18 years.

In retirement, he authored a book "St. Thomas More at the Millenium," published in 2001.

He was a Knight of Malta, parishioner of St. Elizabeth Seton Church in North Falmouth and St. Williams in Naples, Fla. He was the past president of Athletic Directors of Western Connecticut; president of Independent Schools of St. Louis, Mo.; member of recently formed N.D. Club of Naples; president of N.D. Class of 1952 during their 50th Anniversary; and member of the Pocasset Golf Club.

During his 10 years living in Naples, he taught Elizabethan and Tudor Periods of History for three years at Ave Maria University of Naples, Fla., in the continuing education department.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Paula Roche Wray; daughters, Kathanne Wray Fowler and her husband, Robert Fowler III, of West Hartford, Conn., and Maura Wray Leddy and her husband, John W. Leddy, of Raynham; most devoted grandfather of Chesleigh and Julia Fowler and Patrick "P.J." and Tierney Leddy. He was predeceased by his son, Chris Wray, in 1997, and his daughter, Sheila Marie, in 1966.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 548 Route 28A, West Falmouth. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, at 11 a.m., in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Quaker Road, North Falmouth. Interment will follow in North Falmouth Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.

For online, guest book, directions and obituary, visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.