Gary Bray

Bray, Gary William Longtime Coon Rapids resident, retired teacher and former U.S. Marine passed away Monday, June 17, 2013 following a long battle with heart disease. Gary was born in Mpls. Nov. 30, 1934 to Alfred Napoleon and Mabel Bernadette (Dupont) Bray, both long since deceased. His earliest memories were those of growing up on the farm outside Red Lake Falls, Minnesota where his French-Canadian ancestors settled int he 1880s. Gary's family moved back to Minneapolis where Gary attended Incarnation school and graduated from Minneapolis West. He was stationed in Japan during his time with the Marines. Upon returning home he met and married Ginny Herrick in 1960. He attended the University of Minneaota and Mankato State on the GI Bill and with his earnings as a mail carrier for the US Post Office. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. In 1969, when the Hiawatha corridor was being cleared, Bray moved his family to Coon Rapids where he was a teacher with Anoka-Hennepin School District 11. Gary Bray was dedicated to the youth of Coon Rapids, teaching at Northdale / Sorteberg, L.O. Jacob and Adams Elementary Schools as well as Coon Rapids Junior High. He was also involved in youth athletics coaching numerous Little League, softball, and hockey teams. Gary was an excellent craftsman and enjoyed remodeling, woodworking, and restoring antique cars. He was active in politics. Gary Bray was well-known in the Coon Rapids community. He was chosen to serve as Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Marquis in 1988. He is survived by his loving wife of 50+ years, Virginia "Ginny" (Herrick); brothers, Mike (Betty) and Tim (Sharon); 3 children, Michelle (Alan) Wilson, Socrates (Deborah Field), and Lisa (Scott) Tessier; 6 grandchildren, Brittany Bray, Sam, Jack and Jessica Bray, Nathan and Isaac Tessier; and 28 fond nieces and nephews & their children. Preceded in death by sister, June Werneke; and brother, Robert. Gary Bray touched the lives all of who knew him. He will be missed. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial Mass Thursday, June 20 at 6:00 PM, with visitation two hours prior to Mass, all at: www.Washburn-McReavy.com Coon Rapids Chapel 763-767-1000 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd.

Tributes

Gary Bray

June 17, 2013

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