Obituary of Lawrence Ray

Lawrence Arthur Ray Lawrence Arthur Ray (Larry) born in Erie, April 14, 1926 to Owen Amos Ray and Elizabeth McMunn, died Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at UMPC- Hamot. He was a born again Christian and a member of New Life Community Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Margaret Mattson, a daughter, Peggy, two sisters; Margaret Ann Pier and Betty Scott, and a grandson, Jeffrey Lynch. Lawrence is survived by his wife, Wanda Jean Godfrey Ray, a son, Kenneth Lawrence and his wife Charlene, Harborcreek, PA, two daughters; Katherine Ann Hinkson and her husband, Mark, Marietta, GA, and Katherine Gail Tiller and her husband, Robert, Wilmington, NC. He is further survived by five stepdaughters and two stepsons: Sylvia Nichols, Erie, Tommy Finchio, Jefferson, OH, Gloria Ellis, Erie, Louise Guie and her husband, Dick, Coatesville, PA, Sonty Finchio, Jr. and wife Betty Jane, Erie, Charlotte Finchio, Cambridge Springs, PA, Debra Laurento, Coatesville, PA, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and seven step grandchildren. Lawrence is also survived by two sisters; Judith McGuigan, Derby, CT and Susan Lott and her husband, Ken, of Erie. He served in the military during WWII in the Navy on Motor Torpedo Boats, (Ron 31). Lawrence was awarded the Pacific Theater Ribbon (2 stars), American Theater Ribbon, the Philippines Liberation with medal, the Okinawa Gunto Ribbon, (the consolidation of the North Solomons), and the Victory Medal. After the war, Lawrence enlisted in the Navy Reserve where he served one night a week and one week active duty yearly. He retired after twenty years. Lawrence also retired from General Electric after twenty-three years. Lawrence was a lifetime member of VFW Post 470 and American Legion Post 0742. a member of Tyrian Commonwealth Lodge over fifty years, a member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Erie, and PT Boats, Inc. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited there on Saturday for the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Abe Edwards. Interment Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Life Community Church, PO Box 911, Fairview, PA 16415. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video