Ray weds Reynoso in Virginia

In the presence of 150 guests, family and close friends, John Henry Ray wed Florina (Nina) Reynoso at St. Rita Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia, on Oct. 12.

John, 82, was born and raised near Washtucna and Nina, 65, relocated with her family from the Philippines to the United States in 1984. Both John and Nina’s former spouses passed away and the couple connected on E-Harmony, which led to them embarking on a cultural journey in marriage.

The wedding showcased the Filipino culture, such as the “Barong Tagalog” worn by the groom. It is made from delicate pineapple fiber and is hand embroidered. The dinner featured “lechon” (roast pig) complete with the special liver pate sauce. The newlyweds also did the “money dance” where guests pinned money to the couple’s outfits to bring prosperity.

The reception took place at the Waterford Ballroom in Fair Oaks, Virginia.

John retired from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) on Jan. 3 after more than 39 years with the service. He served as the senior advisor in the GSA Office of Government wide Policy.

John graduated from Washington State University and had units in graduate school for economics at WSU and in business at UCLA.

He served two years on active duty as a First Lieutenant communications officer with the US Air Force, which included serving with the National Security Agency in Japan followed by three years as a Captain communications officer with the California National Guard.

After being appointed to the Litton Industries office in 1960, he joined the Air Force Intelligence Reserve, where he served as an intelligence staff officer major from 1962-1969. He sold tactical electronic systems and consulting services to the Air Force and Army before joining GSA in 1974.

Nina graduated in nursing from St. Paul University in the Philippines and earned units of credit in the nurse practitioner’s program from Marymount University.

She currently works as a senior case manager in the emergency room at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. An active member of the Philippine Nurses Association, Metro DC, she has volunteers in several medical missions serving the indigent population of her native country.

Nina is currently in the process of establishing a women’s center in Manila, Philippines, with her former classmates in celebration of their golden anniversary in 2015.