Ray was born in England and grew up in Montreal.

His first formal art instruction was at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts under Arthur Lismer one of the “Group of Seven”.

Ray joined the Montreal Arts Club, the oldest English speaking professional art club in Quebec.

Subsequently he studied with a number of well known artists including Ron Goyette, one of America's foremost marine artists.

At age forty-seven he sold his business to paint full time.

To further his artistic career he moved to Europe for eight years. During that time he painted in England, France and Ireland where he was represented by the Rye Gallery, England and the Killarney Gallery, Ireland.

His paintings have hung in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, private and corporate collections including The Royal Trust, The Bank of Montreal and The Royal Bank.