Born in Port Washington, N.Y., and raised largely in LaPorte, Texas, he came to us from Phillips Andover Academy. At Princeton he majored in geological engineering, rowed lightweights all four years, swam for three, and was a cheerleader. He took his meals at Colonial, and his senior-year roommate was Jim Beattie.

Three years in the Navy and service in Long Beach, Calif., followed Princeton, during which time he met and married Delores, the love of his life. He then joined Shell Oil in Louisiana, but early on he shifted careers, earning an MBA at Ohio State and going to work for Nationwide Insurance until 1990.

In yet another career move, he then joined the computer firm CBC Companies as a programmer, working there until 2013, when he retired. Throughout his life Gay was an avid aquatic athlete, competing in crew, swimming, and sailing. He also researched and repaired vintage Volvos, which he considered the perfect car.

Gay was preceded in death by Delores and is survived by daughters Marian, Polly Sipes, and Suzanne and their families, including a granddaughter.