Donald J. Ray, Jr. of Lebanon, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2023 at Hartford Hospital, following a brief illness. He was 67. Known by his friends as Donnie, Don Juan and Donzo, he was born April 9, 1956 in Hartford. He was the son of the late Donald J. Ray, Sr. and Nancy (Clement) Ray. Don grew up on Amston Lake in Hebron. He spent his adult life in a variety of professions, including work as a welder at Electric Boat in Groton, carpentry and excavation. In 1982 while working on an excavation site in Danielson, Don was buried alive in a trench collapse. He was air lifted to Worcester Medical Center with life threatening injuries. His family and friends were called to his bedside to say goodbye, but Don, exhibiting a trait that would serve him well, fought for his life and after several months in the hospital, he was able to return home to Amston, where he was a member of the Scorpions softball team in the Hebron Men’s Softball League and was a part of the Sons of the American Legion in Hebron. On October 11, 1986, Don married his wife, LaurieAnn Sola. The couple went on to settle on the Lebanon side of the lake and raise their two daughters. While there, Don was also a founding member of the Amston Lake Tax District. He also pursued his lifelong love for motorsports, including NASCAR and Formula One, while building and customizing several cars, vans and trucks of his own. Don was also an avid UCONN basketball fan. He will be remembered for his stubborn willingness to fight every obstacle presented to him and his loyalty to family and friends. Don is survived by LaurieAnn Ray of Lebanon; daughters Carrie (Jake) Kvasnik of Maryland and Lindsay Ray and Patrick Geneau of Manhattan, New York; brothers Michael (Joyce) Ray of Cape Cod and Amston and Patrick of Hampton, CT, sister Lori Dumas-Ray, of Florida and brother-in-law Donald Pigan of Colchester. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Janet Sola of North Haven; brothers-in-law Raymond (Pam) Sola of North Haven, and John (Jen) sola of north Haven; sisters-in-law Natalie (Chris) Stock of North Haven, Janet (Rev. George) Manukas of Hamden, and Helene (Rigo) Smith-Sola of Brooklyn, New York; special friends Steve Goode and Henry Meckl; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his sister Brenda Pigan, father-in-law Raymond Sola and former brother-in-law Joseph Belisle. Don’s family would like to thank those who cared for him during his stay at Hartford Hospital. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 3 to 6 PM at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home 167 Old Hartford, Rd, Colchester, CT 06415. A chapel service will take place the following day, Monday December 11, 2023 at 10 AM at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home; burial will follow immediately after the funeral home service in the New Hebron Cemetery in Hebron, CT. To sign the online guest book or share a memory of Donald, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com