Background
Although born in Alabama, Ray grew up in Canada (on an American military base) and became a Canadian citizen in 1978.
Although born in Alabama, Ray grew up in Canada (on an American military base) and became a Canadian citizen in 1978.
A postal worker by trade, Ray began writing poetry in his late teens. He has published several books of poetry and non-fiction as well as pieces in Canadian periodicals, webzines, journals and newspapers. He was co-chairman of the League of Canadian Poets: Associates (Toronto) for 1985/86, was instrumental in helping establish the Scarborough Arts Council Poetry Contest in 1988, the London Arts Council in 1994 and was the 1999 President of the London New Arts Festival.
In January 2015 he was elected to the Board of The Ontario Poetry Society as District Area Manager.
Also active in organizing, Ray is a founding member of the Canadian Poetry Association in 1985 and was Secretary/Treasurer of the Toronto chapter (1985-1988) and the London, Ontario chapter (1992-1995), and National Coördinator.
