Navy Reserves Veteran, Lester C. Bray, of Pawtucket, Passes at 90

Navy Reserves Veteran, Lester C. Bray, of Pawtucket, Passes at 90

Lester C. Bray, 90, of Pawtucket, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 10, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. 

He was the beloved husband of the late Elinor (Hannaway) Bray. Born in Gloucester, MA, he was the son of the late Charles “Franklin” and Viana (Abrahamson) Bray.

In 1936, Lester and his family relocated to Rhode Island and settled in Pawtucket where Lester was raised and attended school. After graduating from Tolman High School, Lester enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and proudly served thirty years until retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer. Lester was a fine wood furniture refinisher and learned this trade while working at the former Shartenberg's Department Store, Pawtucket. He also worked as the lead foreman at the former Outlet Company Warehouse, Coventry, as well as Burlington Coat Factory in East Providence for their maintenance department. Lester thoroughly enjoyed saltwater fishing and was an avid visitor of Walt Disney World for many years.

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He is survived by his two loving children, Kenneth Bray and his wife, Marie, of Franklin, MA and Susan Coughlin of Pawtucket; six grandchildren, Jonathan Bray, Fred Coughlin, Nicholas Bray, Shannon Brady, and Kelly and Kyle Coughlin and five great-granddaughters. He was the brother of the late Shirley O’Keefe.

His funeral will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in William W. Tripp Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, followed by interment with Military Honors in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Floral tributes are respectfully omitted.

Memorial donations to Gary Sinise Foundation, P.O. Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365 or to Little Sisters of the Poor, 964 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860 would be appreciated.