We, the family of Patrick Weldon Bray, (Nov. 17, 1932, to April 28, 2026), are saddened to share the passing of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He valiantly persevered several years of health complications and was very proud of making it to 93!

Dad, the son of the late John Francis Bray and Agnes Euphemia Bray (Kanary), was born at home in his beloved Port Morien, Cape Breton. His life was strongly influenced by the loss of his mother in childbirth, when he was eleven years old. His father, a coal miner, struggled to raise 9 children without a mother. They lived in poverty for many years; so, as a result, Dad was very proud of his accomplishments and those of his family. Dad was the last remaining of his siblings, predeceased by sisters Mary McInnis and Carmel Smyth and brothers Gerald, Arthur, Thomas, George, Bill, and Frank. He often expressed sadness about them all being gone, finding it hard to believe he was the only one left.

Dad will be greatly missed by the love of his life, Mary Alexandra (McNeil), his devoted wife of almost 70 years (July 17th). He is survived by his children 8 children, Patricia (Gregory Doyle), Richard (Mary Jean Reardon), Karen (Gary Foster), Robert, Paula (Rickey Wheeler), John (Jillian Newton), Ronald (Janice Hill) and Sheldon (Alice Sullivan), 27 grandchildren grandsons; Paul and Andrew (Karen Gillis) , who Grandad was proud to have raised lovingly with Mom, Jonathan Doyle, Jennifer MacFarlane, Stephen Doyle, James Doyle, Heather Bray, Gerard Bray, Sharon Bray, Liam Bray, Taylor Long, Bradley Long, Jordan Long, Danielle Davison, Michelle Davison, Chris Davison, Monique Davison, Ryan Davison, Jesse Bray, Ceilidh Bray, Laura Bray, Johnny Bray, Austin Bray, Oliver Bray, Alisha Bray, Monica Humphrey, and Samantha Bray and 15 great-grandchildren James and Angus MacFarlane, Archie Doyle, Kyle and Brenden Richardson, Declan, Geraldine and Patrick Bray, Rhiannon and Llewyn Bray, Kalliope Bray, Remi and Sutton Humphrey, Yasha Chursinoff, and Bella Eburne. He found much joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dad had an excellent work ethic and always strove to improve. He never finished high school; he worked on swordfishing boats and held various jobs in Ontario and Cape Breton in his younger years. Eventually he became an excellent Red Seal carpenter and worked at the trade for many years in the Glace Bay/Sydney area. In 1968, he took a job as a carpentry instructor at NSIT on Leeds St. (now NSCC) in Halifax and moved our family to Halifax. (During that time, he also completed his high school education.) Dad was a much-loved teacher at NSIT, eventually became Head Instructor and in 1989 retired as the Coordinator of Trades Training.

Passing on the story of family, past and present, was extremely important to Dad. He told many stories (multiple times) mostly of his youth in Port Morien. He even wrote his stories for our family to have when he was gone.

Dad’s love and pride were the two cottages he built for his family: one at South Side Boularderie in Cape Breton and the other on Molega Lake in Queens Co. He and Mom spent every summer between the two cottages, enjoying family time and many special family celebrations. We enjoyed the Bras d’or Lakes in the Cape Cod style boat he proudly built and named Alexandria after Mom.

Dad was a skilled fisherman and went after either mackerel or smelts, depending on the season. He was also famous among his children and grandchildren for his ‘memorable’ clam digging excursions. Other free foods he’d like to forage were blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries. He wouldn’t let us leave the field until all buckets were full! It was worth it when Mom cooked delicious food with all the above.

We had hoped that Dad would live long enough to see his Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup again, but hence, that was not to be. He knew and loved hockey and the Leafs with a passion. Dad coached hockey when his boys (and girl) were playing. He was a beautiful skater, a joy to watch.

Many thanks to the medical professionals and other heath support individuals who respectfully, compassionately, and diligently cared for Dad over the last 3 years. Dr. Mark Stender, Dr. Jonathan Moore, QE2 Emergency team working the night of April 27-28, both QE2 and Dartmouth General Hospital nurses, doctors, and other staff. We especially want to acknowledge the paramedics from EHS who came to Dad’s rescue many times over the last few years. They were wonderful!!! Also, Closing the Gap, who provided amazing homecare workers who took excellent care of Dad daily, the VON nurses who came daily; I don’t know what we would have done without them! Finally, the wonderful pharmacy team at Boyd’s Pharmasave who went over and above on a regular basis to keep up with Dad’s frequently changing needs. Superheroes all! Our family sends a heartfelt thank you to every one of you!

There will be a funeral Mass on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 10am in St. Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Rd, Halifax, NS, celebrated by Fr. Craig Cameron. A reception in the church hall will follow. Dad will be laid to rest in St. Joachim’s Cemetery, South Side Boulardarie, Cape Breton on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10am with a graveside service.

If you would like to make a donation in Dad’s memory, consider the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Good Shepherd Parish Conference in Halifax, St. Joachim’s Church Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Beechville.