Ray, who was 90, joined Lancaster University on 1st August 1965 and was awarded the first chair in Marketing to be established in the UK. 

He worked here until the summer of 1988. During his time at Lancaster he also completed sabbaticals in Australia and America.

Ray was particularly fond of mathematics and classics, areas in which he continued to read long after his retirement. He also had a passion and aptitude for chess which he continued to play until the last weekend of his life.

He leaves behind a daughter (Carolyn), a son (Steven), five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.