Born and raised in the Mahoning County, he has dedicated most of his life sharing his time and talents to better serve his community. When asked why he serves, first and foremost he responds because he answers “yes” to his calling from the Lord. 

He also credits the examples of service from his parents, Porfirio and Eufemia, his siblings and thanks them for serving as his inspiration. For almost his entire career, Rey has worked in Youngstown and serves as the Director of Client Advocacy at GBS. He’s been with the company for 31 years and states, “GBS has served as a second family and network that has helped to enrich and mentor my life of service.” 

Over the course of his career he annually organizes a “Christmas Extreme Makeover” for families in need, currently celebrating 31 years as a program. The families are selected based on necessity and recommendations from Youngstown Community Help Centers, churches, family or friends that know of someone who would benefit from this mission of giving. 

He insists that the greatest gift in leading this holiday program is the overwhelming support and collaborative effort from a network of friends, family and co-workers who also answer “yes” to the calling to serve others. Watching this network furnish entire homes for local families; to building a new cement home in Nicaragua for a little girl and her family as she battles leukemia to raising over $15,000 in just four weeks, then hand delivering assistance to families affected by Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Maria are testaments to how this program has evolved by the works of many. 

Faith, Family, Friends and Others is the foundation for Rey’s life of service. Focused on these pillars of inspiration, he has impacted the lives of countless souls through efforts at his church, employment and home life. For 20 years, Ray has hosted the annual “Hoops and Dogs” basketball tournament at his home to foster teamwork, sportsmanship and community pride for local youths and adults. 

Of his many accomplishments, his family remains #1. He’s been married to his wife, the former Nancy Burgos Esparra for 37 years and together they’ve been blessed with three daughters, Maria (Jeff), Cristina (Ryan) and Veronica (Jeremy). Their family continues to grow as he is also the proud “Papa” to four grandchildren; Aviana, Rey, Ryan and Remy.