Rochester NY: January 16, 2016 at age 52. Buddy is survived by his spouse, Jennifer Wray; children, Jacob Brown & Karina Dey; grandchildren, Taylor Hill & Luciano Brown; in-laws, Sharlene LeRoy, Carmen Garcia, and Charles and Phyllis Smeltzer; brother and sister-in-law, Matthew Smeltzer & Jolene Smeltzer; many friends. He is predeceased by his father, Coy Wray; mother, Verona Wray; sister, Sylvia Rouse & brother, Michael Wray.
Buddy was a carpenter and in his spare time, enjoyed reading, cooking and sports.
His Memorial Service will be held Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 2 P.M. at Webster Park, Kanatota A Lodge.
Buddy wove his way into our family becoming a major element in everyone’s heart. He was wise, intelligent, gentile and loving. Buddy was beyond a gifted carpenter…he was a craftsman and very proud of his work. He was an avid NC tar Heels fan. Gone all too soon, Buddy will be dearly missed by us all. We will honor him forever by cherishing our memories. GO HEELS !
Buddy,
I have lived a paradoxical life … where times were very difficult and offset by blessings. Knowing you is one of my blessings. My heart is broken that you are not going to be with us for decades. My heart is broken for you, for Jenni, Jacob, and us all.
You were a wise old soul that brought a sage and gentle way of viewing the world. You loved my beloved daughter as only fictional novels portray. You mended the spirits of some, and in a very short time won the veneration of family and friends. It has been an absolute honor knowing you and I cherish the memories of every day we had.
Love,
Sharma
I will miss Buddy very much. No one mentioned that he was a great hugger-I will miss that.
Cuz Buddy, I can see how well loved you were in NY & that many many people cared about you… Back home in NC, you have so many family members & friends that will miss you… You were & are loved by us…Thank you for the great & funny memories while growing up.. I am going to miss giving you a hard time on FB… about your teams and any other thing we could tease each other about..
Cuz,
Reene
Dear Buddy, it is all too soon you have left us. You always put others ahead of yourself and your kind and considerate self always made it very easy for others to respond in kind.
Although we only were together a few times, it was easy to see that you were the right fit for our Jenni and a welcomed member to our family.
Your departure has left an empty space within all of our hearts, but the many memories left behind will help us to smile warmly. Thank you for sharing with us a part of your life. We are all the richer with your gift.
With love,
Jerry and Anna
Buddy,
We are so greatful you came to NY and into our lives. You and Jen became our dear friends. We love you you both and treasure our memories. You will be missed and always in our heart. We will continue to get our pups together and laugh with you.
Buddy, you have touched so many with your kindness. I was out of town and my wife needed to go to the hospital. She was in her 60’s and frightened. You reassured her and you drove her there. But your care and kindness did not stop there. When she was ready to be released, the nurses told her that you had checked on her regularly and had left your phone number in case she needed anything. You had asked to be called when she was ready to come home and you would come and get her. This is only one of the many acts of kindness we recall when we think of you. Your level of caring, sharing, and forgiveness was a lesson for us all and a testament to the man you were. We shall probably not see your like again. rest in peace my brother you will be forever missed we love you buddy wray now and always
Buddy Wray you’re gone too soon. I love you man. So many good memories. I know we’ll meet again. Thank you for EVERYTHING.
You’re my boy, blue!
Even though I feel that I did not get a chance to know buddy on a deep personal level,what I do know is he always had a smile. Whenever I saw him he always had a kind word for me. He was a great story teller. I guess it helped that I absolutely LOVED his accent. He was a kind person. He had kind eyes and a great smile. I can understand why Jenny fell in love with him. Buddy will be missed by all but he was brought into our lives ,even tho a short time, for a reason. I’m very lucky to have met him and luckier to consider Jenny and her family as part of my family. Love you Jenny.
Buddy we will miss you all around. You are so dear to all of our hearts. We will keep all of our memories close.
Love Janice
Buddy,
You were not the type of person I had to get to know – it just seemed like with love for Jenni and your personality we were met to be friends and family.
Love,
Dad (C. Smeltzer0
Dear Buddy,
Jenni said she was going to North Carolina for the weekend to meet a friend. That was a long weekend. Shortly after you moved to New York. I was uncomfortable with that until we met. You were so easy to get to know and grow to love. You were so caring – not wanting Charlie to climb a ladder. Things I wanted done around the house – you made it all happen. The afternoons we spent sitting in the kitchen just talking were happy times. Why is it the good ones get taken from us. You were and are loved and there is an empty hole in our family.
Love,
Phyllis
Buddy, the level of sadness that I experienced upon hearing that you left this world way too soon is one reserved for family. You were that. I feel confident I can speak for the Potts’ tribe when I say you were a; kind, smart, funny, hardworking man that people people trusted and could count on. I loved you like a brother and considered you that. Going back to NC will never be the same. I will remember our youth together with great fondness, and consider myself a better person for knowing you.
You were loved from; the Carolina beaches, to New York and out in the Oregon territory. I will surely miss you and cherish memories shared. Aloha Jeff
I only knew you for a bit 🙁
I’m sorry you are gone..