Robert "Bob" Bray

Robert (Bob) Bray died peacefully in his sleep on August 6 in Gainesville, Florida at the age of 85.

Bob is survived by his children, Linda (Richard) St George of Summerfield, Fl; Bob Bray (Joe Hickey) of Monte Pego, Spain; Rick Bray of Oceanport, NJ; his brother, Eugene Bray of Orlando, FL, sister, Susan Bray of Oakhurst, NJ, and grandchildren Jessi St George, Matt St George, and Charli Bray; his faithful pup, Rocky, many nieces and nephews, and countless family and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents, Charlene and Eugene Bray; brother, Stephen Bray; and an infant son, David Stephen Bray.

Robert was born on January 22 in Long Branch, New Jersey. He married Betty in 1960 just six months after meeting her on a blind date. They were married for nearly 60 years before Betty's death in 2020. They lived in New Jersey for 35 years until retiring and moving to The Villages, Florida in 1995.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His family is what mattered most to him and he was happiest when surrounded by family. In his own words, "the most important things in my life have been my family and the best times are those spent with them."

He was a dog-lover and had 10+ over his adult years - different sizes and breeds, and each became a valued member of the family.

In high school, Bob earned letters in Track & Field, and in Cross Country. He loved watching baseball and football, and it was at this time he began to develop his lifelong love of the NY Yankees and the NY Giants. He passed his love for those teams to his children and grandchildren as well.

He earned a business degree from Monmouth College (now university) and later a Masters of Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After college he began working for Prudential, and eventually was hired as a systems analyst and worked at nearby Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. It was there he spent the next 27 years until his retirement in 1995.

At 18 he joined the fire department in Long Branch, NJ. He stated, "I don't know why I decided to join the fire company but I guess it was the combination of some of the stories told by my father, the family heritage and the little boy in me that wanted to ride on that big red truck." He served with the Oliver Byron company for many years, and rose up in the ranks from 2nd lieutenant to Captain. He continued to volunteer in Long Branch, even after the family moved to Oceanport, but later joined the Port-au-Peck company where he was a lifetime member and served as its president for two years in the 80's.

After his family, his biggest passion was softball which he played for over 65 years. He was a natural outfielder and hitter and took pride in his speed and fielding but more so in his throwing arm. He played for teams at work, with the fire department, his son's post office team (with his brother and nephew) and continued playing when he moved to The Villages, only recently retiring from the sport in March of this year. He was voted to numerous all-star teams and was the first active player ever elected to the hall of fame for his work team (DOIM).

Bob took those baseball talents and coached his sons on Cap League, Little League, and even Pop-Warner football teams. He was a natural teacher - patient, but firm - and his goal was to help the boys develop as players and as people.

Golf became an interest of Bob and Betty's in their 40, and when they retired it was a passion as they both became very active players. . Bob was proud of his two holes in one that he shot in 2006 and 2009, but even more so of Betty's six. He continued to have a love/hate relationship with the game for the rest of his life, but he never gave up wrestling with that little ball.

As a child, Bob was a Cub Scout and then a Boy Scout, and that title would fit him for his entire life. He always wanted to help - his family, his friends, his neighbors - and he was the first to knock on a new neighbor's door to offer his assistance. He didn't get involved with day to day politics or worry about differences; he just wanted to help others and they all knew who to turn to when they had an issue.

As noted under his name in his high school yearbook, he was then, as always, "As good natured a lad as ever trod the Earth."