Bruce Bray

1933 - 2025

In Loving Memory of Bruce Bray
Longtime Island resident Bruce Bray passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of ninety-two. Bruce lived life on his own terms and left this world in the same way-just as he wished. He was at home, crossing over peacefully in his sleep, with his family nearby.
Bruce was born in Los Angeles in February 1933. He spent his youth moving around Southern California with his mother and his siblings. From an early age, he was curious, independent, and determined. He was known to wander off for long stretches, exploring wherever the Red Car trolley would take him.
His adventures eventually led him to the docks in San Pedro harbor, where he met Howard and Les Thuet. At the time, Howard, Les, and Howard's wife Jane ran a fishing charter business in the waters off the coast of Catalina. Bruce initially joined them as a deckhand and quickly became part of their family –and they became his. They brought him to Avalon for the first time in 1946. Records confirm that in between charters, he graduated high school, served in the Korean War, and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1955.
There are many versions of the story of his early years, most of which he preferred to keep private. The thought of those details being published in the local paper would probably wake him from the dead. If you asked him about his life, he'd say it truly began in 1955, the year he met Carol Sue "Susie" Ochsner Windle in Avalon. In his eyes, there was nothing before her and nothing more important than her. Her grandfather was the local judge, her father was a sheriff, and her mother was the most intimidating redhead on the Island -- but Bruce was fearless in his pursuit of Susie.
They eloped in Las Vegas in December of 1956. As the story goes, everyone assumed two things: Susie was pregnant, and the marriage would not last. "Everyone" was wrong on both counts. They were two wild kids who loved each other, and that never changed. When they got married, Jane Thuet famously gave Bruce a check for $300, saying he could cash it if the marriage lasted more than a year. He kept it framed on his desk. On their 30th anniversary, Jane wrote another check– this time for $300 plus interest.
Bruce and Sue built the life he spent his childhood dreaming of. They welcomed four sons: Howard, Mark, Steven, and John Brian. Over the years, they lived on Eucalyptus Street, in Two Harbors, on Descanso and Clemente Streets, and in Monkey Town before settling into their forever home at 121 Vieudelou.
In 1963, Bruce worked for Reyn McCullogh at Reyn's Menswear (now internationally known as Reyn Spooner) at the Avalon shop and later helped to open the Palm Springs store in 1964. He held a USCG Captain's License for 50 years and worked at many local establishments. He captained charter boats for the Thuet's starting in the 1950s, skippered glass-bottom boats in the 1950s, ran shore boats in the '60s and '70s, and was a partner with Gary Williamson owning Avalon Mooring Service until he retired in 1988.
In retirement, along with Howard Thuet and John Hodge, he owned the commercial swordfish boats Bobby C and Big Charlie, spending countless days on the water hunting the elusive broadbill. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he returned part-time to run shore boats and rejoined Avalon Mooring Service under his son Mark's ownership. Every weekday morning at 4:00 a.m., he'd show up at the shop on Pebbly Beach Road, crank up his music, and offer his signature brand of "advice" while he happily spliced lines.
While raising their sons, Bruce mainly worked on or near the water, instilling a deep love of the sea in his boys. Three of the four made their living near the harbor that had sustained their family and raised their own children in the town that shaped them. Today, the sixth generation of the Bray family still calls the Island home.
After retirement, Bruce and Sue embraced the chance to travel the world- New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Europe, South America, and beyond. They'd rent a car, wander off the beaten path, and chat with locals at every stop. Bruce loved these adventures. He loved coming home even more. He once told his granddaughter that he hoped his family would travel widely but always have a place-a home-that loved them back. For him, Avalon was that. His first real home, and fittingly, his final resting place.
Bruce was best known for his humor, his resilience, and his generosity. Both the subject of many stories and a gifted storyteller himself, he could blend fact and fiction with a fisherman's flair, never letting the truth spoil a good tale. He was impatient, yet eager to teach. Gruff on the outside, but tender in ways few expected. He gave freely, offered his own flavor of unconditional love, and kept everyone on their toes – no one ever knew what he'd say or do next.
Bruce is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Susie; his sons, Mark (Pam), Steve (Margaret), and Brian; eight grandchildren-Kendra, Steven (Erin), Bryce (Tanya), Devon (Chris), Rushton, Ethan, Ashton, Slater – and six great-grandchildren: Evan, Weston, Owen, Kingston, Fisher, and Goldie. Of all his accomplishments, Bruce was most proud of his family. They are his legacy, and they are all honored to carry on in his name.
The Bray family extends a heartfelt thanks to all who have reached out, sent notes, lent a helping hand, shared a laugh, and mourned alongside them. Bruce was a one-man party –he loved attending them. A celebration of his life will be held on August 10th at Steve's Steakhouse at 11:00 a.m. Bruce's favorite way to say goodbye was by saying, "Don't you people know when it's time to go home??" so the party will end promptly at 2:00pm.