John J. Ray Jr.

PITTSFIELD -- John James Ray Jr., 75, of 43 Nancy Ave. died Tuesday evening at home after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Pittsfield on Oct. 19, 1929, a son of John J. Ray Sr. and Lena Favre Ray, he was a 1948 graduate of Pittsfield High School.

A Navy veteran of the Korean War, he served as a pipe fitter aboard the USS Piedmount, a destroyer tender that served Korea, Japan and the Pacific theater.

A master plumber and pipe fitter, Mr. Ray worked for the local plumbers' union for most of his more than 40-year career, doing jobs for D.F. Harrington, Lahey and Pittsfield Pipers. He also worked as a plumber for GE and was the plumbing and gas inspector for the Berkshire Mall during its construction. He was the plumbing and gas inspector for the city of Pittsfield for 10 years, until retiring in 1999.

He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. He was also a member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Berkshire County Deputy Sheriffs' Association and United Commercial Travelers. He enjoyed hunting and the outdoors.

He leaves his wife, the former Florence LaVigne, whom he married Nov. 26, 1955; two sons, Steven J. Ray of Pittsfield and John J. Ray III of Wheaton, Ill.; and four grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services for Mr. Ray, who died Feb. 8, 2005, will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, at 8:45 from DERY FUNERAL HOME, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 9:30 at Sacred Heart Church by the Rev. James K. Joyce, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Pittsfield Boys' and Girls' Club or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in Care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. He also leaves his daughters-in-law, Sandy Ray and Lori Ray, and his beloved grandchildren, Steve Jr., Shannon, Courtney and Brett.