1928 – 2013

AUBURN — Richard “Dick” Norris Bray Sr., 84, of Bear Pond Road, Turner, died Sunday, Aug. 11, with his loving family at his side at The Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in Auburn.

Dick was born in Turner on Oct. 31, 1928, a son of the late George and Helen (Stevens) Bray. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Leavitt Institute, Class of 1947. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1948-1952, and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.

Dick married the love of his life, the former Agnes “Claire” French, on Jan. 14, 1961. In 1962, they moved to Locust Drive in Cranford, N.J., and Dick began working for Paving Materials and Construction Co., retiring as a supervisor after 30 years of service in 1990. They then moved back to Turner and settled on Bear Pond Road.

Dick was vice president of the Bear Pond Improvement Association for 10 years and was chairman of BPIA Watershed Committee since 2000. He was a member of the Maine Mayflower Society. He was a direct descendant of John Alden on his mother’s side.

He enjoyed — first and foremost — his music. He had an extensive collection of LP records, tapes and CDs, mostly Jazz. Since retirement he became interested in woodcrafts, and has designed many beautiful pieces of furniture and novelties for family and friends.

He leaves his wife of 52 years, Claire of Turner; two sons, Richard Jr. and wife, Anne, of Concord, Mass., and Kenneth and Annette of North Yarmouth; a daughter, Sandra Caggiano and husband, Matthew, of Concord, Mass.; and grandchildren, Ryan and Connor Bray, and Amy, J.R. and Catherine Caggiano.

He was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Kennedy in 1970; three brothers, Ralph in 1985, George in 1993 and Norman in 2000; and a sister, Gertrude Davis in 2005.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Richard’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.