Bruce Gregory Bray

Bruce Gregory Bray, age 75, of Shelter Bay, died unexpectedly at his home following a lengthy illness on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  He was born on October 5, 1944 in Long Branch, New Jersey to the late Harold and Phyllis (Forbes) Bray.  The family moved to Michigan and Bruce grew up in Davison, Elk Rapids, Imlay City, and Ionia.  He graduated from Ionia High School in 1962 and attended Ferris State University his freshman year.  Bruce transferred to Western Michigan University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Education in 1966.  He began his 32 year career teaching social studies, psychology, government, and driver’s education at Lake Fenton Community Schools and also coached basketball there.  Bruce met Kristine Nutting, his fellow teacher and colleague in the teacher’s lounge and married her on March 25, 1989.  They spent their vacation time in the Upper Peninsula, and when Bruce retired in 1998, they permanently moved north.  Bruce was a stay at home Dad to their daughter Ally and he enjoyed spending time with her.  He was integral in building their family home (and his dream home) on Deer Lake in 2006.  Bruce spent time coaching middle school girls’ basketball at Superior Central and enjoyed supporting the Cougars through Kris with her teaching and coaching and with Ally’s extracurricular activities.    Bruce earned his Charter Captains license and spent time as first mate with his father-in-law on Lake Superior.   He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, reading and spending time at the library.  Bruce was a sports fanatic and a huge Michigan Wolverine fan.  Although he had been ill for years, his death was unexpected and he will be terribly missed by his family who loved him bunches.

Bruce is survived by his wife of over thirty-one years – Kristine Bray of Shelter Bay; children – Gregory Scott Bray of Ohio, Amy Lynn Bray of Fenton, MI, and Allyson Kristine Bray of Kalamazoo; siblings – Fred Bray of Cedar Edge, CO, Beverly (Donald) Warble of Wasilla, Alaska, Sharon (Paul) Jackson of Debary, Florida, and Donald (Patricia) Bray of Standish, MI; father and mother-in-law – Boyd and Sharon Nutting of Munising; sister in law – Cheryl Moore of Berrien Springs, MI; brother-in-law Boyd (Julie Soales) Nutting, Jr. of Niles; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter Bethany Marie Bray.

Bruce's life will be celebrated in Munising at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.  Visiting time will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with his celebration beginning at 7:00 with Pastor Chrys Levesque Hendrick officiating. Per Michigan's Executive Order, masks are required to be worn in the funeral home. On Tuesday, July 28, 2020 there will be celebration of life at the Sharp Funeral Home in Fenton (1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton, MI 48430) from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.  Interment will be at the Balcom Cemetery in Ionia on July 29, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.