Gerald J. Tray, 86, of Hamburg, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2017 in the Lutheran Home at Topton. He was the husband of Alean L. (Kress) Tray. They were married on May 15, 1954 and celebrated sixty-three years of marriage.
Born in Pottsville, he was the son of the late William Francis Xavier Tray and Mary Antoinette (Hornung) Tray. Gerald attended St. Patrick's Catholic School in Pottsville. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Gerald owned and operated G.J. Tray Wholesale Foods, Hamburg. He was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Hamburg, where he was a member of the Holy Name Society. Gerald was a member of Union Fire Company #1 Hamburg; the Hamburg Sports Boosters; and the Hamburg Ambulance. He managed and sponsored a slow-pitch softball team for many years in the city league where he was known as "Harp". Gerald was an avid golfer. He was also an assistant coach for the Babe Ruth team. Gerald sponsored many youth and adult sports leagues and was a supporter of Hamburg athletics. He was a very giving person. He donated the use of a truck for the Hamburg Library book sale and would help anyone who was in need, including the Haiti flood victims. Gerald was known for his joke-telling.
Surviving in addition to his wife Alean are his children: Gerald W. Tray, and his companion, Mary Beth Marolo, Hazleton; Christopher J. Tray, Quakertown; Beverly (Tray), wife of Tom Etchberger, in Virginia; and Dianna (Tray), wife of Frank Twaddle, Exeter Twp.; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings: William and Eugene Tray; Sister Josephine Marie Tray; and Marie Tray.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 am from St. Mary R.C. Church, 94 Walnut Road, Hamburg. Burial will follow in Zion's Red Church Cemetery, Orwigsburg. A viewing will be held on Monday 6:00 to 8:00 pm from Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., 65 S. 4th Street, Hamburg (off street parking in rear) and at the church on Tuesday 10:00 to 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to St. Mary R.C. Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 189, Hamburg, PA 19526 or Hamburg Public Library, 35 N. Third Street, Hamburg, PA 19526. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.