INDUCTED: 1993

CATEGORY: Athlete

BORN: 1924 (Woonsocket, RI)

 

Ray was coached by Wilfrid Hebert at Amicale-Franco-Belge, later lifted for Woonsocket WL Club. Undefeated in New England for over a decade. New England Champion consecutively, 1943-’53. Set his first New England Record at 1944 New England Championships with Snatch of 229 lbs., 155 lbs. bodyweight. In a New England physique contest in 1946 he bested then-Junior Mr. America Everett Sinderoff, plus was awarded Best Legs.  Silver Medal 148 lbs. Class at 1946 Junior Nationals; placed 5th same year at Senior Nationals. In 1948‘s Eastern District Olympic Trials, Ray took 2nd in 165 lbs. Class and was 3rd place in the Final Olympic Trials that year. Won New England Outstanding Weightlifter Award, 1949-’53. Junior Champion, 1949, in 165 lbs. Class. In 1951 North American Championships he took Silver in 181 lbs. Class. Silver in same class at 1953 National YMCA Championships. As of 1953 he held the New England Records in the Press (198 lbs. Class), the Snatch (165, 181 and 198 lbs. Classes) and Clean & Jerk (165 and 198 lbs. Classes). Though he started as a split lifter, Ray later switched to squat style. He traveled to Ohio to learn this technique from Larry Barnholth at his American College of Modern Weightlifting.