Raymond J. McRory, age 84, passed away surrounded by his family and dear friends in his Garden City home on May 7, 2023 from complications after a long battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. Ray was born in Brooklyn in 1938 to immigrants from Belfast, Ireland. He leaves behind his son Russell, daughter-in-law Joanne and two amazing grandchildren Andrew and Jacqueline, all of whom miss him immensely. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara and brothers Jack and Jerry. He leaves cousins from California to Belfast.

Ray was raised with his brothers and a small army of cousins on 4th Avenue and 57th Street in Brooklyn. He went to grammar school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help followed by St. Michael’s High School. Ray met the love of his life, Barbara Jean Pries. They went to her prom together and married in 1961. Ray graduated Pace University at night, with a degree in accounting; graduated St. John’s Law School at night; and then earned a Masters in Law at NYU, also at night.

Ray first worked in banking and finance for Morgan Stanley and Starwood Corporation. He eventually struck out on his own and started his own law practice specializing in tax and real estate investment. Ray was a trusted advisor and friend of his clients, which included members of the Persian community, who loved their Irish lawyer.

In 1972, Ray, with his wife Barbara and son Russ, moved out the suburbs, specifically Garden City, Long Island, where he spent the remaining 51 years of his life. Ray loved Garden City, not just living there, but also eventually moving his law practice there. He coached his son’s baseball teams and loved playing tennis at the Casino, where he particularly enjoyed his stint as Tennis Chairman, especially having to make tournament rulings during tense moments. 

Ray’s finest hours was when his beloved wife Barbara was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1997. He cared for Barbara relentlessly, learning more about the disease than most doctors, and caring for her body, mind and spirit through some very tough times. Ray’s love was an inspiration to friends and family. His grandchildren Andrew and Jackie brought him hope and joy in the darkest times of Barbara’s illness.

Barbara and Ray were taken on a pilgrimage to Lourdes by the Knights of Malta. That pilgrimage was a life-changing experience for Ray, and upon returning he immediately started the process to join the Order himself. He attended several more Lourdes pilgrimages as a Knight, and loved the camaraderie, service and faith-in-action of the Order. This provided the catalyst for his deepening Roman Catholic faith. Retreats, prayer and pilgrimages to such places as Lourdes, Knock, Ephesus and the Holy Land became a central part of his life.

Ray made incredible friends throughout his life, remaining close with boyhood pals from Brooklyn, law school classmates, clients, fellow little league coaches, tennis buddies from the Casino, fellow Knights and Dames of Malta, and his friends from prayer groups and religious pilgrimages throughout Europe and the Holy Land.

Ray’s was a life well-lived, full of love, friendship and family. He left nothing undone or unsaid and left us on his own terms. While Ray will be sorely missed, he would want to be remembered with a smile and a funny story where he is a main character.