A New Yorker through and through, Ray was born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens and Long Island, and currently resides in Queens. He comes from a hockey family with two brothers and one sister who all play hockey. His sister is an impressive goalie.

He started to play hockey because he loved the game and wanted to feel like one of "the Boys." Ray was definitely welcomed as one of the boys when he got his teeth knocked out by a stick in 1974. "It was cool back then to have no teeth from a hockey injury." As for his 33 years of playing experience, Ray modestly quips, "You'd never know." Continuing to hone his skills, he plays on three ice hockey teams in addition to his NYCGHA duties. Ray also plays roller hockey and deck hockey.

An unrepentant Rangers fan, he has had the same Ranger season tickets for the past 28 years. He's seen it all, "the good, the bad, the great one, all the comings of the Messiah (Messier) and of course The Cup." Ray's greatest hockey moment was seeing Stanley Cup being carried out onto the Garden ice. Even Ray's favorite number is Rangers-related. It's 21, which he wears in honor of his favorite Ranger ever, Pete Stemkowski, who played in the late sixties and the seventies.

Ray joined the NYCGHA because he wants to play with other gay people; he got tired of hearing homophobic comments from his straight teammates; and because the NYCGHA sends teams to many tournaments throughout North America.