David Bray

David Paul Bray, born on August 15, 1953, in Marquette, MI, traveled to his soulful, spiritual home on Monday April 21, 2025, due to complications from brain trauma caused by a severe autoimmune disorder and recently diagnosed blood cancer.

David was a shining example of the soulfulness inspired by spiritual leaders like Thich Nhat Hahn, Jack Kornfield, Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, and Joseph Goldstein. He carried a deep belief in the importance of treating everyone with loving kindness and compassion, dignity, and respect. David truly was an instrument of peace, sowing seeds of love, faith, grace, and persistent hope everywhere he went, as referenced in his favorite Prayer of St. Francis. David’s journey on earth was one marked by over forty years of service to those struggling with disabilities and illness. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and others whose lives he touched. We ask that you celebrate David not for the way his life ended, but for the way he lived, and for the profound impact he had on those who were blessed to know him.

David was the beloved husband of Patricia J (Joslin) Bray, father to Kayla A (Bray) Gueths (Jeff Gueths), Eric P Bray, and Matthew M Bray, and Grand Papa of Lanegan David Gueths. He is survived by his loving wife and children; his sisters, Patty Bray (Craig) Woerpel, Mary Jo Bray (Bud) Young, Kathleen Bray (Steve) Benn, and his many nieces and nephews ~ Joanne (Miketinac) Preston, Karen (Miketinac) Albrecht, Michael J Bray (Kelly Carson Bray), Peter Bray (Stephanie Bray), Timothy Bray, Annie Bray Lindbert (Matt Lindbert), and Bridget Young. David was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth M Bray and Joanne T (Ourada) Bray; his brother Michael Bray, and Michael’s wife Jeannie (Boudreau) Bray; and his grandparents Martin J Ourada and Lucille M (Tallent) Ourada, and Josephine Kuzara, as well as aunts and uncles.

After his graduation from Holy Name High School in Escanaba, MI, David attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Religious Studies. David was an emissary of kindness, compassion, light and love wherever he went, whether as a novice in the Norbertine Order, a production supervisor at Aspiro, Inc. (formerly Community Service Center, BARC Industries), where he helped disabled clients to live their lives in ways that brought them joy and purpose, or as a patient transporter and advocate at St. Mary’s and St. Vincent Hospitals in Green Bay, WI. His dedication to soulful reflection and spiritual growth, and his desire to bring light to those in need epitomized his joyful and generous nature.

Outside of his work, David found happiness in dinners, cookouts (he was a master of grilling) and gatherings with family and friends, spending special time with his grandson, Lanegan, listening to music, writing poetry, and watching sports (National Hockey League games, Milwaukee Brewers games, as well as the Green Bay Packers, the team of his forever home in Green Bay, Wisconsin).

David’s wife and children invite Family members only to a special private gathering on Thursday May 8, 2025, from 2:30 – 4:00 PM.

An open reception for friends of David and his family will then take place on May 8, 2025, from 4:00 – 6:30 PM, with a Celebration of David’s Life at 6:30 PM.

All gatherings listed above will be at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 South Monroe Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54301.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations for the family to help offset any costs of David’s oncology treatments, six weeks in intensive care and brain trauma specialty care that may not be covered by insurance, as well as the loss of household income that will result from the discontinuation of his social security payments.

Although David’ s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, his spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us. May his memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth his legacy of loving kindness and compassion in all that we do. ‍