George W. Bray Jr., veteran, retired police officer

George W. Bray Jr., 78, a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2026, after a brief illness. He was born in Patterson, N.J., to George and Ruth Bray. He graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1965, and moved to Neptune, N.J., soon thereafter. George served in the U.S. Navy from 1966-69, which time included service in Vietnam.

George retired after 25 years as a police officer with the Neptune Police Department. Thereafter, he began his second career of 16 years as a school bus driver, initially for Eatontown, and then for Ocean Township. He also operated his own landscaping business for many years. 

George and his wife relocated to Milton in 2016, making many new friends in their neighborhood.

George was predeceased by his parents, George and Ruth; sister, Ruth Ann; and daughter, Kristen. He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Valerie “Cherie” (nee Bernstel); daughter, Patricia Adams and son-in-law Robert Adams Jr.; granddaughters, Elyse and Grace, all of Brielle, N.J.; extended family and friends; and his beloved dogs, Amaya and Sabrina.

George was a parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church in Lewes. He was an active member of the Knights of Colombus, Msgr. Desmond Council, Lewes and American Legion Post 28 in Millsboro.

George enjoyed fishing, especially on the various boats he owned during his life, and an eclectic variety of music. The New York Yankees, New York Jets, and Clemson Football, along with the youth sports his daughters and granddaughters played were his favorites. George seldom missed an opportunity to cheer his girls on from the sidelines.

A visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Dr., Lewes, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., followed by entombment at Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.

A Celebration of George's Life will be held in Monmouth County, N.J., in the near future.

Visit George's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.