Bernard John Ray, of Mt. Airy is seen here with an unidentified co-worker at Earth Bread & Brewery, 7136 Germantown Ave.[/caption] by Sue Ann Rybak Mt. Airy resident Bernard Ray's life ended …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Bernard John Ray, of Mt. Airy is seen here with an unidentified co-worker at Earth Bread & Brewery, 7136 Germantown Ave.[/caption] by Sue Ann Rybak
Mt. Airy resident Bernard Ray's life ended tragically Jan. 4 after he was shot to death on the 3700 block of North Delhi Street in Hunting Park.
According to police reports, Ray, 39, was found fatally shot in the chest after his car crashed into three parked cars around 3 a.m.
Friends and family are heartbroken and shocked by the death of the father of four with an “infectious smile.”
“My heart has been filled with sadness since I heard the news,” said Mt. Airy resident Gina Donato, a longtime customer at Earth Bread and Brewery, where Ray worked as a server for four years until this past November. “My son looked forward to Thursdays as it was 'time to see Bernard at the pizza store.'”
A benefit to raise money for Ray's four children and granddaughter will be held at The Earth Bread & Brewery, 7136 Germantown Ave. from 4:30 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, Jan. 8. Donations in his memory can also be sent to the restaurant, which will be forwarded to his family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting, 20 E. Mermaid Lane.
Petra Brizan-Brown, another customer at Earth Bread and Brewery, said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear the loss of this kind man.
“He was always in a great mood with a bright, infectious smile and served us well every single time,” he said.
Ray's aunt described her brother as a dedicated family man who loved spending time with his children walking and playing in the Wissahickon Park.
“His love and loyalty, is what he leaves behind instilled in the lives of everyone he encountered,” she said.
La Rose added that because his death is a homicide it's hard for the family to mourn without closure.
There's a $20,000 reward for anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction. If you have any information, please contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or visit PhillyPolice.com.
This article was updated on Jan. 8. An earlier version erroneously stated that La Rose Ray was his oldest sister. She is his aunt.
