Moss, Norway
He was born in Arendal. Stray's parents were Gudmund Stray (1885–1970), a dentist, and Anne Johanne Marie Frøstrup (1893–1975). Svenn Stray graduated from the University of Oslo with a law degree in 1946. After having served as a clerk in Moss, Norway, he opened his own practice in Moss in 1950.