Private funeral services wereheld Monday for Lewis J. “Luke" Gray of Watchung, 76, chairman of the Somerset County Republican Party since 1955 and a former borough mayor.

Mr. Gray died May 17 at his home in Watchung-

He was the longest-serving county party chairman in the state and was also chairman of the county Executive Committee.

Mr. Gray was the borough mayor from 1951 to 1961. He was also a past president of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, a member of the New Jersey Republican State Committee and the New Jersey State and County Republican Chairmen's Committee.

Born in Plainfield, he attended public schools there. He also attended New York University and Rutgers University, majoring in economics and business administration.

For several years he was associated with the New York Stock Exchange firm of Munn, Winslow and Potter.

Mr. Gray had owned and operated Gray's Florist on Route 22 in Watchung for the past 55 years.

For 20 years he had served on the Somerset County Board of Taxation and was a delegate or alternate to five Republican national conventions.

He was a member of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, a former member of the Plainfield Rotary Club, a charter member of the Watchung Rotary Club and a former chai man of the board of the Plainfield Elks Club.

He assisted in getting the charter for the Watchung Rescue Squad and was a life member of the Watchung Chemical Engine Co.

Mr. Gray was a member of the Raritan Valley Country Club and a former trustee of the Watchung Community Chest. He was a director of the Somerset Trust Co. and was past head of the Watchung advisory board of that bank.

Surviving are a daughter, Elizabeth G. Black of Watchung; a son, Charles Alden Cray of Vernal, Utah; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were by Higgins Home for Funerals in Watchung.