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On December 16, 2016, Ray died peacefully at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center, “Brunswick Houseâ€, with his family at his side.
Ray was born January 27, 1930, in Mt. Vernon, New York, to the late John M. and Catherine (Klinger) Real. He leaves his wife Gloria; two children, Thomas Real of Mission Viejo, California, and JoAnne Sullivan of Anchorage, Alaska; along with several step-children and grandchildren. His brother John W. Real and sister Catherine T. Black predeceased him.
Ray was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport, where he was also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and Color Guard.
He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in New York and Boston University in 1956, with a degree in Physics. He did graduate studies at MIT and Syracuse University. After graduation, he worked for several years at General Electric. He then went into business for himself, in commercial construction.
He sold that business in the early 1980s and started Northeast Technical Associates, a commercial and residential real estate appraisal firm. He turned that company over to his employees when he moved to Oak Island in 1993. He then formed Coastal Appraisal Services, which he operated until July 2016.
Ray was an avid sailor and also held a commercial multi-engine pilot’s license.
Over his lifetime he was always active in community affairs, both in Massachusetts and North Carolina. He is remembered for starting one of the first volunteer ambulance services in Western Massachusetts where, as an EMT-I, he was an instructor for many years and was noted for running realistic mass disaster drills. He was a member of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council on EMS, Berkshire (Mass.) County Public Safety Department, Town Moderator in Alford, Massachusetts, and a board member of the Southern Berkshire School District. He was involved with law enforcement, fire and EMS for many years, and was Chief of Police in Alford, Massachusetts.
In North Carolina, Ray was a commercial real estate appraiser and Vice President, Region 1, NCAR Appraisal Board. He is remembered for his many court appearances as an “expert witness†for the Brunswick County Tax Department, as well as individuals involved in litigation.
He was a member of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce, having served on the Business Development Committee. He was a member of the Town of Oak Island Damage Assessment Team and was a member of the Retired Public Safety Professionals Subcommittee of Brunswick County Emergency Management.
Ray donated many hours to Habitat for Humanity, and was a charter volunteer member for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. Recently, he had begun working with the Guardian ad Litem Program, Judicial District 13.
Ray taught real estate and appraisal courses at colleges in Massachusetts, Connecticut and North Carolina, and held the prestigious designation of GAA from the National Association of Realtors. He was also a charter member (1991) of the American Academy of State Certified Appraisers.
As a hobby, Ray loved woodworking, helping others and a good book.
Ray has requested that there be no funeral services, as he has donated his body to The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
Those who wish may honor Ray by making a donation to the Knights of Columbus Rev. Robert T. Lawson Assembly, Southport, NC 28461, or to Brunswick County Hospice Care Center, 955 Mercy Lane SE, Bolivia, NC 28422. |