D. Wray Peal, 1932 – 2015

D. Wray Peal (1932 – 2015)

We are saddened to report that the FTA Hall of Fame has lost a longtime member (1999 inductee) and the entire FTA organization has lost one of its most passionate pioneers. Wray Peal passed away on September 15 at the age of 83. Wray was a perennial supporter of FTA and frequented its podiums as a speaker on the Association’s workshop, roundtable & Forum programs dating back to the 1960s.

Hall of Fame Member Tributes to Wray

“The news about Wray saddened me as it undoubtedly saddened the FTA organization hearing that another pioneer had passed. Wray was one of the early pioneers working for Kidder Press when our paths crossed. Working with him at workshops and other meetings was a joy. He always gave more of himself than he received. His biography would not be complete without mentioning that he experienced both sides of the aisle as it relates to the FTA. He was initially a supplier member and later a printer member. In the later few years of attending the Forum, his wife Becky would lament that while it is wonderful that so many new people have become members, familiar faces were getting fewer and fewer. Wray was always happy to meet old friends, but then again, everyone was a friend. My most sincere sympathies to his entire family. Rest in Peace Wray.”
–Joe Trungale – 1985

“I remember Wray back when we were all fighting the idea that flexo was a rubber stamp aniline printing process. Because of people like Wray who devoted his time, energy and knowledge, flexo has become what it is today. He was always willing to step up when called upon.”
–Wally Nard – 1988

“Wray was one of the nicest guys in our industry and helpful to all. Our group of pioneers gets smaller and smaller. My heartfelt sympathy to his family.”
–Sam Gilbert – 1989

“My memories of Wray are spinning through my mind and my heart. We worked so many, many workshops, roundtables, conferences and forums together for nearly 40 years. Together we combined business, friendship and dedication to our industry. Like with so many of our colleagues, we shared much personally and professionally while traveling nationally and internationally. Wray earned his recognition into the Hall of Fame by participating with the FTA and industry at every opportunity. He shared and shared and shared. He contributed and contributed and contributed. He respected customers and co-suppliers alike and, in turn, he was rightfully respected back. His enthusiasm, dedication and love of the industry never dwindled. I am sure that along with many industry members and certainly many other Hall of Fame members, Wray will be remembered and missed.”
–Tony Bart – 1996

“Wray was always such a friendly fixture at all the FTA meetings.  His contributions to the organization were a testament to his Hall of Fame induction. We’ll miss you, Wray. My condolences to his family.”
–John Shreve – 1997

“Back when Wray was going to retire from Harper – I think was 1997 – we had arranged a little surprise party for him at the Harper Booth at one of the CMM shows and it was my job to get Wray away from the booth for a while so the invited guests could arrive and Harper staff could set up a cake and decorations. I told Wray that I was concerned because the press company I was working with was making a change from traditional racking screws on the print decks to ball screws and wanted to get his feelings on it. We arranged a time to meet at the Carint booth which was on the other side of the hall and Wray arrived and began to tell me all about ball screws (which I already was quite versant in) in detail (I actually learned a few things though) and once we concluded, we went back to the Harper booth where the surprise was accomplished and Wray looked at me and said, “You really didn’t need me to come talk to about ball screws did you?” I sheepishly admitted my part in the plot, but a few days later a package arrived from Wray at my office and guess what…he managed to arrange for me to get a ball screw and had it shipped that day from his home not knowing that I was asking him about it as part of the plot to draw him away! I will never forget his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1999 when he started his acceptance by asking “Have you ever seen a grown man cry?” This was how emotional he felt about receiving this honour, as I am sure most inductees also have had that moment (I know I did). In 2004 while at the Forum in Dallas, I was having a small health problem and never really told anyone about it but Wray (God love him) recognized I was having a difficulty and called my wife in Toronto and told her to get me to a doctor when I got home as he was concerned about me. My last meeting with Wray was a few years back when he and his wife Becky were traveling through the Ontario area rekindling some of his childhood roots and we had a great lunch and shared some great stories. Phone calls followed in the years since, as he always tried to stay up to date with his friends. In your lifetime, you meet 5 maybe 10 people that affect your life and career. Wray was one of these people for me. I worked with him, competed against him, worked with him again, did favours for him and had him do big favours for me. I was always inspired by his dedication to my industry and the pure humanity of this man. Rest in Peace Wray and thank you for being my friend and mentor. A very kind, nice man with a very human touch, like most people that knew him, I will miss him.”
–Dave Horsman – 2001

“My first contact with the FTA was in 1962 and working alongside people like Wray was a way of gaining insight into a technology that was so basic at the time and then developed into a very highly technical printing process. People like Wray—as were the early FTA pioneers—were commendable because their concern was the growth and development of the industry. It wasn’t simply representing their company and making sales. He joins a number of the people I knew back then and over the years to whom the industry owes a debt of gratitude. Rest in Peace Wray.”
–Fred Shapiro – 2002

“Wray and Bob Zuckerman sold us our first Kidder Press. Wray became a mentor and protector to both my brother Michael and me in our early years of attending FTA conferences, roundtables and industry events. He was one of those people that inspired and encouraged the “youngsters” entering the industry. And he even got along with my mom – even when she got a better deal than what he really wanted to give. I know I will always treasure my memories of him.”
–Arleen Neustein – 2003

“Wray was a mainstay in the FTA and industry when I was just a kid. He worked tirelessly to move the FTA forward and had a significant impact. My sympathy goes out to his family, but he had a good life and we should celebrate that.”
–Bruce Riddell – 2006

“I first met Wray at Cloudsley in Cincinnati where he was pushing flexo to be able to replace gravure on film.  He was committed to flexo and promoted it for all the years that I knew him as a customer, competitor and an industry friend.  He left his mark on the flexo industry and many of our lives.  It is a life to be celebrated!”
–Jean Jackson – 2007

“I will always remember Wray and his strong, always positive, voice. I met him very early in my career and valued his friendship as a flexo Teacher to me. He was a sharing man and, me being a rookie, always had time to chat and share his ideas and contacts. I’m sure his life will be celebrated appropriately!”
–Page Crouch – 2014