Victor Ray Rose, known as Ray to family and friends, passed away at his New Orleans, LA residence on Sunday, December 31st, 2017 at the age of 74. He was the beloved husband to his late wife, Mary Hnasko Rose, whom he missed dearly. Devoted father to Stuart Warren Rose. Brother to Gregory W. Rose and Catherine Rose Reyna (Rafael) both of New Orleans, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents Catherine Myers Rose and Warren Anthony Rose in addition to his nephew, Nathan R. Schott. Warren Rose adopted Ray as his son when he married Catherine Rose. Ray’s birth father, Victor Ray Savacool, lost his life fighting for our country in World War II. Ray made several trips to the American military cemetery located near Florence, Italy to pay respect to and honor his father.  Ray is survived by several nieces and nephews.     

     Ray was born in Palm Springs, CA, but his mother returned to New Orleans with him as an infant. Ray was a resident of the greater New Orleans area for the remainder of his life except for time away when he attended and graduated from high school at Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, VA.  Ray was a graduate of Tulane University earning both his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Law (J.D.) degree from Tulane. Ray was also an alumnus of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design as he was a 2010 graduate of the Harvard Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP) in Real Estate. He was a member of the Harvard Club of New York City. Ray was a big Tulane Green Wave athletics fan and especially enjoyed cheering for the baseball team. In his free time, Ray was an avid reader, adventurous traveler, collector of antiques and a connoisseur of fine foods.   

     Ray was a real estate developer and owner of Stuart Homes, which built affordable homes for first time homebuyers in the greater New Orleans area primarily through HUD and Veterans Administration financing programs. Approximately 2,000 improved residential lots were developed and residences constructed through Stuart Homes and affiliated or predecessor companies.   

     Later on, Ray was a trailblazer in using low income housing tax credits (LIHTC’s) to build affordable single-family rental housing for low income residents on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish starting in the late 1990’s and, thereafter, in other parts of south Louisiana.  Ray was the owner of Warren Construction Company, which built several hundred homes for low income residents using the LIHTC program.  These homes were of high quality and on many of his most recent construction projects Ray built highly energy efficient “green” homes. Ray was so proud to see families move into these homes and know that he played a small part in adding to the supply of needed affordable housing in our community.   

     Ray, at one time, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Homebuilders Association of Greater New Orleans, the Housing Authority of New Orleans, First National Bank of Jefferson Parish, the English Turn Property Owners Association, and was a member of the Board of Trustees for St. George’s Episcopal School.   

     Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service in the chapel at Trinity Episcopal Church on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 12:30pm with the Rev. Andrew Thayer officiating.  Visitation from 11:30am until service time in the board room and library adjacent to the chapel.  Kindly omit flowers.  Memorials are suggested to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130 or the charity of your choice. Condoloences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimerfh.com. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home of Metairie is in charge of the arrangements.