Robert F. Gray of East Dennis and formerly of Worcester, died on his 83rd birthday, Friday, August 31, 2007, in Cape Cod Memorial Hospital.
He was the son of John J. and Margaret (Kelleher) Gray, born and raised on Vernon Hill, and remained a Worcester resident for most of his life.
A decorated combat veteran of World War II, he enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 and proudly served his country as a member of Company G, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment in the European Theater. In March of 1945, he was wounded in action by an enemy bullet and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war ended, he returned to Worcester and went to work at Merrill & Usher, and later the Worcester School Department where he remained for over 40 years retiring in the late 1980's. Upon his retirement, he moved to the cape full time. He was a diehard Red Sox and Patriots fan and enjoyed playing cribbage and pitch with his family and friends.
He leaves behind his wife of almost 59 years, Florence M. (Remillard) Gray of East Dennis; two sons, John F. Gray and his wife Linda of Worcester, and Michael R. Gray of Worcester; three daughters, Maureen M. and her husband Kenneth Dunker of Princeton, Barbarann and her husband James Girouard of Auburn, and Juliann and her husband Scot Hamilton of Charlton; two sisters, Mary R. Hanrahan of Auburn and Theresa A. Reen of Worcester; thirteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews He was predeceased by his brother, John H. Gray and a sister, Margaret C. Lavin.
Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are Monday, September 3 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 4, from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant Street, Worcester. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 129 Morgan Drive, Norwood, MA 02062, or the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.
