STONINGTON – Henry C. Bray Jr., 81, died Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, at his home while drinking coffee, watching his birds and waiting for the day. He was born April 3, 1929, in Stonington, son of Henry C. and Ruth V. (Sellers) Bray. Henry was a stone cutter on Crotch Island for many years, and then for various other quarries in and around Stonington for a career that totaled more than 33 years. The Deer Isle Granite he cut was used in many projects around the world, but the projects he was most proud of included the Kennedy Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, the Maine State Seal, Augusta, and the block on which the Army Jeep sits at the World War II Memorial at Cole Family Land Transportation Museum, Bangor. He was a member of Joshua Davis Lodge No. 145, I.O.O.F., Stonington, for many years. Henry enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. Most of all, he will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family dearly. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Letha F. (Nevells) Bray of Stonington; six children, Darlene Hardy and her husband, Neville, of Deer Isle, Rachel Place and her husband, Bud, of Bangor, James Bray and his wife, Barbara, of Deer Isle, Timothy Bray and his wife, Nancy, of Stonington, Dexter Bray and his fiancee, Joyce Wood, of Deer Isle, and Mary Gatchell and her husband, Steve, of Stonington; a daughter-in-law, Donna Bray of Brewer; 21 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Henry was predeceased by three children, Jeannie Bray, Henry E. Bray and Charlene Jones. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at Bray Family Cemetery, Mountainville, with elder A. Dowe Eaton officiating. Gifts in memory of Henry may be sent to the family, care of Letha Bray, 19 Larrabee Road, Stonington, ME 04681. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
HENRY C. BRAY JR.
