George W. Bray Jr.'s Obituary
George W. Bray, Jr., 78, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away on March 19, 2026, after a brief illness. He was born in Patterson, New Jersey to George and Ruth Bray. He graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1965, and moved to Neptune, NJ soon thereafter. George served in the US Navy from 1966 to 1969, which time included service in Viet Nam.
George retired after 25 years as a police officer with the Neptune Police Department. Thereafter, he began his second career of 16 years as a school bus driver, initially for Eatontown, and then for Ocean Township. He also operated his own landscaping business for many years.
George and his wife relocated to Milton, Delaware in 2016, making many new friends in their neighborhood.
George was pre-deceased by his parents George and Ruth, sister Ruth Ann, and daughter Kristen. He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Valerie “Cherie” (nee Bernstel), daughter, Patricia Adams and son-in-law Robert Adams, Jr., and granddaughters Elyse and Grace, all of Brielle, NJ, extended family, friends and his beloved dogs, Amaya and Sabrina.
George was a parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church in Lewes, DE. He was an active member of the Knights of Colombus, Msgr. Desmond Council, Lewes and American Legion Post 28 in Millsboro.
George enjoyed fishing, especially on the various boats he owned during his life, and an eclectic variety of music. The NY Yankees, NY Jets, and Clemson Football, along with the youth sports his daughters and granddaughters played were his favorites. George seldom missed an opportunity to cheer his girls on from the sidelines.
A visitation will occur at 10am on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Dr., Lewes, DE 19958, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am, followed by entombment at Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriot’s Way, Millsboro, DE 19966.
A Celebration of George's Life will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 12pm to 3pm at Pagano's Uva Ristorante, 800 Main Street, Bradley Beach NJ, 07720
Please sign George's tribute wall at this site.
FLORIST NOTE - DELIVER FLOWERS TO OUR LEWES FUNERAL HOME BY 3:00 PM ON MONDAY, MARCH 30.
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