Joseph Charles Wray

For many years the name of Joseph Charles Wray figured in connection with the undertaking business in Montreal, but in July, 1907, he retired from active management of a business which had been established by his grandfather in 1840. Mr. Wray was born in Montreal on the 25th of March, 1857, and is descended from Irish ancestry, his parents being William and Marion (McGregor) Wray, the latter of Scotch lineage. The father came to Montreal at an early age with his father. The latter, Joseph Wray, established an undertaking business in 1840 and was joined by his son, William Wray in its conduct and management. The business was originally conducted under the name of Joseph Wray, but upon the death of the grandfather, William Wray succeeded to the ownership and management of the business, which he afterward conducted under his own name. However, his health failed him about six months later, and he was obliged to retire from active business. He was then succeeded by his son Joseph Charles Wray.

The last named had been a pupil in the public schools of Montreal and after putting aside his text-books became connected with the confectionery business in the employ of James Griffin. At length he entered the undertaking business that had been established by his grandfather, and when his father was forced to retire from the management Joseph Charles Wray assumed control and conducted the business under his own name for thirty years, his patronage growing with the development of the city. In July, 1907, however, the firm style was changed to Joseph C. Wray & Brother, and Mr. Wray of this review retired from active management, being succeeded by his youngest brother, Frederick A. Wray, who has always been connected with the business. The Wrays were the first to establish ambulance work in Canada in connection with the hospitals, and they now own the ambulances used in connection with the hospitals of the city. They began this in July, 1883, and the value of the work done by them can be scarcely overestimated, the ambulance service largely annihilating time and distance in cases of emergency, bringing the patient to medical and surgical aid with as little discomfort as possible.

On the 7th of September, 1900, in Trinity church, Mr. Wray was united in marriage to Ellen Louise Gibbon, a native of Wales. They are members of the Church of England, and Mr. Wray is identified with Mizpah Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Elgin Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M. He votes independently, exercising his right of franchise as his judgment dictates. He has long since won place among the prosperous men of the city, his position being attributable entirely to his close application and honorable business methods.