The plane, named “Happy Days,” was donated to the Piper Museum at a small reception in his honor held on Sunday, May 22.

The family decided that the museum was the best place they could think of for the plane to reside.

“It was his pride and joy,” his son Jeff Gorham went on to say. After the presentation family and friends gathered around each other reminiscing over stories of his love for Piper airplanes.

Ray named his plane “Happy Days” because it was a phrase he used profusely. He was also a member of the Quiet Birdmen, a flying club in the United States for aviators who loved the sky.

CHRISTINA WILLIAMS/THE EXPRESS Calvin Arter, 2nd Vice President of the Piper Aviation Museum Foundation Board of Directors, at left, and President Ron Dremel, right, say a few words about Ray at the presentation of the plane.

Every year Ray also traveled to the Osh Gosh air show in Wisconsin, searching for parts for his many “project planes.”

Ray was a local, long time face and fixture of the Piper Airport. He made his first solo flight in 1968. He purchased his own Piper Cub on July 14, 2007.

After he retired from PennDOT, he continued to work part-time in the office at the Piper Airport on the weekends running Hanger 1. He would make sure the pilots had fuel, would sometimes take them to lunch in town, and make sure they had whatever else they might have needed for their flights.

He was a long time volunteer at the Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven. He also ran the fuel truck at The Sentimental Journey every year where he cooked the sausage for the breakfast fundraiser.

“I’d say this was his second home,” said Calvin Arter, Second Vice President of the Piper Aviation Museum Foundation Board of Directors.

The plane will be on display in the hangar at the Piper Museum where you can take a tour Wednesday through Friday 9-4, Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 12-4. The public may also call 570-748-8283 or get on their website https://www.pipermuseum.com for more information.