PROSPECT HARBOR and DURHAM, N.C. – David Foster Ray lost his battle with cancer Aug. 6, 2008, in Durham, N.C. He was born July 21, 1918, in Prospect Harbor, to Harvey Foster Ray and Marion Elizabeth (Pike) Ray. David grew up in Prospect Harbor, graduating from Winter Harbor High School in 1936. After working in a fish factory, logging and lobster fishing, he joined the Coast Guard at Southwest Harbor in 1939. Starting as a cook on a 75-foot patrol boat, CG Sixbitter, he worked his way through the ranks to chief warrant officer, CWO4. He was stationed at CG bases along the New England coast and in Newfoundland. He was the commanding officer of TACK-9, installing mobile LORAN systems in Italy, Turkey and Libya. He retired after 32 years of active duty and was called back for another four years as a civilian engineer. After retiring from the Coast Guard, he ran a sawmill in Prospect Harbor and was tax assessor for the town of Gouldsboro. He moved to Durham, N.C., where he enjoyed his last years with his loving wife of 24 years, Jean Ray. He held life-long memberships in Knights of Pythias and Trenton American Legion Post No. 207. He will be sadly missed by his children, Marianne Ray, Edesse Fox and Lawrence Ray, all of Prospect Harbor and Lorette Sanipass of Northern Maine; as well as his stepchildren, Elizabeth Scott of Durham, N.C., and Stanley Walker of Monmouth; grandchildren, Carol Anne Martin of Franklin, James G. Fox of Avon, Conn., Anite Stratton of Surry, Yovonna Donnell of Prospect Harbor, Elizabeth Walker of Four Oaks, N.C., Madison Scott of Durham, N.C., and Ryan Walker of Monmouth; great-grandchildren, Marion Kennedy of Ellsworth, Danielle Pinkham of Milbridge, Michelle Griffiths of Ellsworth, Elisha, Sarah, Daya and Shawn Stratton of Surry, Dacey Stratton of Lewiston, Casey Pulaski, Damian Rumery and Jarod Donnell of Prospect Harbor; and four great-great-grandaughters. We wish to thank all who sent cards, letters and poems for his 90th birthday, they were much appreciated. There will be a memorial service in Prospect Harbor at a later date.
DAVID FOSTER RAY
