Martin was born in 1937 in Bristol, England to Doris (Adams) and Iv o r Ray. During WWII, his childhood home was hit by a bomb and he and his brothers were evacuated to the countryside. He attended Prior Park boarding school in Bath, England, and later earned an engineering degree at Bristol Technical College. He began his career at Bristol Siddeley (now Rolls Royce), specializing in turbine combustion aircraft engines.
In 1965, he answered a blind newspaper ad that changed the course of his life. He was offered a position at General Electric in Lynn MA and emigrated by sea to Massachusetts, settling in Marblehead. His wife, Jennie and two young daughters joined him several weeks later. Martin had a 30+ year successful career at GE, with positions in program management and international sales where he enjoyed traveling extensively working with governments and organizations in Sweden, Indonesia, Russia, Spain and the Czech Republic.
Martin was beloved by all who knew him for his outrageous storytelling, his British sense of humor, passionate curiosity, openness to adventure and ‘MacGyver’ ability to fix just about anything! Martin was a trusted source of advice and support for his wide circle of family, friends and colleagues.
Martin’s great love was sailing. He spent his happiest days cruising New England waters in his C&C 36 John Cabot. He was a long-time active member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, proudly serving as Commodore 2009-2010. He also helped lead the major rebuild of the CYC club house in the early 2000s as chair of the Plant Facilities Committee.
Martin is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jennifer (Wooster), his daughters Fiona Ray and her husband Gary Nitz of Chicago and Nicola Bach and her husband Gregg Bach of Gloucester, and his granddaughter Anna (Kill) Bach, as well as a brother, James . He was pre deceased by brother, Paul and his son in law Friedemann Kill.
An open house will be held at 8R Naugus Ave, Marblehead, MA on Friday, August 26th, 2022 from 4pm - 6pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Martin’s memory to the Corinthian Sailing Foundation at www.corinthianfoundation.org or the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the Ray family.
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