My ancestors - O'Mara - Contents

Jim Ray

James Ray.
Photo of the Directors of O'Mara's at O'Mara centenary dinner, 1939.
See larger and full size.
See another copy. From P40/185.

Jim Ray,
James Mary Ray, born 12 May 1885, Limerick.
Meant to be educ Mungret College, Limerick. Though not found in list of pupils.
He and his cousin Tom O'Mara suffered from or were at risk of TB, and went to Canada for their health, also with Tom's sisters. It was believed Canada was better climate for avoiding TB.
It was thought they went in 1909, but "James Ray" wit the mar of his 1st cousin Lad Ray in Dublin in July 1910. He might have gone later than the O'Maras.
Tom O'Mara's sisters came home. Jim Ray and Tom O'Mara lived Calgary, Alberta.
Jim was an accountant. Invested on the Stock Market, very successfully.
He and Tom O'Mara moved to US, to Arizona.
Jim then moved to California 1917.

He mar 1918 to Hanora Kenney [Nonie, "Hanora" on grave and death cert, "Nora" on husband's death cert, think NOT Hanorah].
She was Irish-American, born 1893, Lompoc, Santa Barbara county, California.
She was dau of Edmond Kenney and Kate Carroll. She was sister of Tom O'Mara's wife Molly Kenney.
The Kenneys and Carrolls were from Rathkea, Bruis par, Co.Tipperary. They had emigrated to California about 1885.
Before marriage, Hanora worked in the movie business in Santa Barbara, California.
She worked at the Flying A studios in Santa Barbara (would be in 1912-1918 period). At this time Santa Barbara was a film making centre rivalled only by Hollywood. Hanora met Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford and John Barrymore and other stars of the silent movie era.
Jim and Hanora mar in Santa Barbara, California.

Jim and Hanora are listed in [US census, 1920] as living Santa Barbara, California. (todo) See original.
Tom O'Mara and Molly Kenney also lived in Santa Barbara.
Jim and Hanora came back to Limerick in 1920-1923. Son born Limerick 1923.
Jim's father died 1929.
Jim and Hanora were living "Derravoher", North Circular Rd, Limerick, in 1929 to 1933.
The "Richard Ray" shop on Roches St, Limerick, was still going as at 1935, with his father's name still on it.
Jim was a Director of O'Mara's bacon company at time of O'Mara's centenary, 1939.
Listed as "Company Director" at death, living Hill View, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Jim dies, 1950:
He died 26 July 1950, age 65 yrs. See death cert from here.
Death cert says died at his house Hill View, Ennis Road, Limerick. Burial record says died at Barrington's Hospital, Limerick.
He was bur 28 July 1950 [burial record] in Ray grave at Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.

Hanora dies, 1965:
Her address still given as Hill View, Ennis Road, Limerick, at death.
She died 12 May 1965, at Barrington's Hospital, Limerick, age 72. See death cert from here.
She was bur 13 May 1965 [burial record] in Ray grave at Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
Jim and Hanora had issue:

Dick Ray,
Edmund Richard Kenney Ray, or Edmond,
born in Limerick, 23rd August 1923,
mar Winifred Quinn,
he died 9th April 1973, Limerick, age 49 yrs,
had issue:
1. Margaret Ray, mar Nial Nestor and had issue:
  1. Liz Nestor, mar Michael Skerritt and had issue:
    1. Leah Skerritt.
    2. Sophie Skerritt.
  2. Alex Richard Nestor.
2. James Ray.

Richard Ray shop at 41 Roches St.
Photo 1930s.
Richard Ray died 1929 but his name is still on the shop. His son Jim Ray is running it.
See full size. From Tipperary Archive. Tipperary Studies Photographic Collection.
This building on Roches St survives today.

Ad for Ray's, 41 Roches St, Limerick.
From Limerick Leader, August 24, 1935.
Still called "Richard Ray" even though he is dead and his son Jim Ray is running it.