Obituary of Walter L Gay, Jr.

Walter Luther Gay was born on September 2nd, 1945 in Manhattan, New York to Walter Lee Gay and Blanche Onita Neal.  He has two sisters, Jessie Gay and Regina Floria. Walter achieved his Bachelor's Degree in photography from New York University. At the age of 21, Walter enlisted into the New York City Police Academy where he became an NYC police officer for 15 years. He retired early due to an injury he acquired in the line of duty.  After retiring as a police officer, Walter devoted his life to education and his love of photography. He became a manager of Compton, a subsidiary of Britannica, providing reading materials for children. During this time, Walter founded Photo Magic, a photography business where he photographed weddings, conferences, and children in a variety of elementary, junior, and high schools.   Walter met his wife Iris Rivera-Gay while working at Compton in 1986. They fell in love and have been together for 35 years.  In 2005, they founded RandG Consulting, a sales and marketing consulting company focused on post-secondary schools. They later expanded their business to assist small and mid-size businesses to grow. Walter was also a Life Purpose Coach and a published author. Walter was blessed and is survived by five children, Sondia Monique Gay, Mikka Onita Gay, Walter Lamont Gay, Sergio (Tara Hall) Gay, Ralph Capote (Connelia Capote) his sister Regina Floria, eight grandchildren, Geneva Bevels, Neysa Gay-Hall, Janae Capote, Jaharra Capote, Ralphie Capote, Rashon Capote, Makaia Gay, Liam Gay-Hall, two great-grandchildren, Juwan Bird, Rilynn Stewart, and a whole host of in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Walter loved cooking and being surrounded by family. He will be remembered for his family's famous, ribs, chili, and rum punch. Walter loved to provide any words of wisdom to family and friends. Walter was an avid writer, creating over 400 poems, and self-development articles.