Westfield – R
ock and Roll legend, Cory Newell DeGray, 71, (1946-2017) passed away on Friday, November 24, 2017, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Westfield to Gail and Newell DeGray, the middle of three children. Cory started playing the guitar at an early age, following in his uncles’ footsteps and as a teenager began performing at Mountain Park. After graduating from the Westfield Trade School, Cory enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Upon his return he went on to work at Pease Chrysler Plymouth and then Taylor Dodge in Westfield. In the fall of 1967, he married his sweetheart, Theresa Dudas and formed his band, Cory and the Knightsmen. In 1974, he jumped out on his own and opened his own service/repair shop on Meadow Street, DeGray’s Service. Most recently, in addition to celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Terri, Cory and the Knightsmen were awarded citations from both the Westfield Mayor’s Office and the Massachusetts Senate for 50 years of rock and roll. Cory was preceded in death by his older sister, Bonnie and his father, Newell. Cory leaves behind his mother, Gail, and younger sister, Marcia, his wife Terri, daughter Korey Bruno and her husband, Tony, their eight children, Nino, Cory, Matthew, Andrew, Karina, Hannah, Camille, and Angela, and his great grandchildren, Sophia and Cory Joseph Bruno. Cory’s funeral will be held on Thursday at 9AM from the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield followed by a Christian burial at 10:00AM at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield, followed by burial at Pine Hill Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-7PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cory’s name to the Knightsmen Band Excellence in Show Choir Scholarship fund or the college trust fund for Cory’s grandchildren, c/o United Bank. www.firtionadams.com
