Ray earned a BA from Assumption College. He later earned a Master in Education degree from Clark University, Worcester. He then served in the U.S. Army for two years, stationed at Ft. Dix, NJ. Mr. Gemme worked for 39 years in the Millbury School System as a teacher, then as a guidance counselor and head of the counseling department at Millbury High School, before retiring in 1996. He also was a teacher of piano and organ for 50 years. He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish where he was the parish organist and choir director. Prior to that, he had been organist and choir director at St. Bernard's Parish, Worcester for 13 years. He was a member and one of the founders of the Millbury Chapter of the Dollars For Scholars scholarship program.

He leaves his wife of 49 years, Anita A. (Berthiaume) Gemme; 5 children: Terese M. Gemme of Hamden, CT, Claire G. Messier and her husband, Paul, of North Uxbridge, Marie A. Loftus and her husband, Timothy, of North Grafton, and twin sons: Paul R. Gemme and his wife, Doreen (Porra) Gemme, of Brookfield, and John R. Gemme and his wife, Shelly (Madrid) Gemme, of Fountain Valley, CA; 4 grandchildren: Christian P. Gemme and Elijah P. Gemme, both of Brookfield, and Timothy J. Loftus and Emily R. Loftus, both of North Grafton; a brother, Leo P. Gemme of Webster; 2 sisters: Alice M. Despard and Yvonne J. Beaudoin, both of Millbury; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by 5 brothers: Louis J. Gemme and Brother Omer R. Gemme, A. A., both of Worcester, Arthur J. Gemme and Roland J. Gemme, both of Millbury, and Joseph P. "Pete" Gemme of Spencer; and by 4 sisters: Marie Anne Gemme of Worcester, Blanche A. Leclair and Dora A. Asselin, both of Millbury and Lillian J. Asselin of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Mr. Gemme was also predeceased by his parents, Louis and Alma (Bourassa) Gemme.