Former President and Secretary of Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, Lakshmi Narayan Ray, passed away on 23rd August 2018 at a hospital after prolonged illness. L. N. Ray was born on November 5, 1933, in the Contai area of what is now the District of Purba Medinipur. He was the eldest son of late Jhareswar Roy and Swarnamoyee Devi of Dulalpur, a village about 10 km from the town. He attended school and college in Contai, where he became acquainted with several Brahmo families and was attracted to the ideals of Brahmoism.
Subsequently, he was initiated into Brahmoism and joined the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj. He studied English (M.A.) and Law at Calcutta University, married Deepa Ghosh (daughter of Dr Ajit Kumar Ghosh and and Mrs Preetikana Ghosh of Contai) and joined the West Bengal Civil Service (Judicial). L. N. Ray served as a judge in various cities and towns of the state, and retired as a District Judge from the West Bengal Higher Judicial Service. He was also a founder member and Chairman of the West Bengal Taxation Tribunal.
He served the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj and its various institutions with great dedication. He was a lay mission worker of the Samaj. He worked hard and devoted his valuable time for the betterment of the Samaj and its institutions. He was President of the Brahmo Samaj Education Society (BSES) when he was struck down by a cerebral stroke in 2013. He served as chairman of the Governing Bodies of some of the BSES colleges (City group of colleges in Kolkata) and as a member in others.
The Rammohan Museum on Raja Rammohan Roy Sarani was one of his major initiatives, and very close to his heart. He published a book on the Brahmo faith, titled Brahmo Dharmer Parampara o Itibritta (can be loosely translated as Sequence of Events and History of Brahmoism) (Dasgupta & Co., Kolkata) and another on Rammohan Roy, titled Rammohun Roy: The Forerunner of Modern Age in India: A Concise Biography (self-published, available at Rammohan Museum).
He is survived by his son Tapas Ray and granddaughter Pramita Ray (his wife Deepa Ray had passed away on November 11, 2016). A memorial service was arranged by his son on 2nd September 2018. Smt. Madhusree Ghosh conducted the prayer and hymns were sung by Sri Kaushik De and others.