AUBURN – Milton G. “Papa” Gray, 73, of N. Jay, died Friday April 22, 2011, at the Hospice House surrounded by family.
He was born, May 2, 1937, in Addison, the son of Clarence B. and Rose (Dorr) Gray. In 1962 he married Hazel Ashe. They began their family in N. Chelmsford, Mass., where he was employed in the printing business.
He moved his family to N. Jay in 1977 where he began his own firewood business. He ran the business successfully for 23 years. Milton was known as a hard-working man with a great sense of humor. He was an avid sports fan; always maintaining his loyalty to the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Ellen Knox of Killeen, Texas; son, Mark Gray of N. Jay; daughter Linda Gray of N. Jay; grandchildren: Crystal Fitch, Amy Cilley and her husband, Ben, Joshua Gray, Tyler Gray, Jennifer Gray, Audrianna Knox; a sister, Barbara Dalot of Dryden; brother, Caswell Gray of Livermore,; sister, Mary Hill of Machias; sister-in-law and good friend, Joan Gray of Jay, three great-granddaughters and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Hazel on March 3, 2011; his parents, a daughter Karen Gray and brothers: Gordon Dorr, Reginald Gray, Philip Gray and Alton Gray and sisters: Leona Gardner and Marie Chandler.
Public memorial graveside services for both Milton and his wife, Hazel, who died on March 3, 2011, will be held Saturday morning, June 11 at 11 a.m. at Birchland Cemetery, Rte. 17, North Jay. Remembrance gifts may be given to either the Sandy River Center for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Rte. 133, Farmington, Me. 04938 or to the Hospice House 236 Stetson Rd. Auburn, Me. 04210.
Tributes and condolences may be shared with the family at www.wilesrc.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center and Cremation Service 136 High St., Wilton.
Brother, so many of our family has so quickly left us, now you. God must have a reason for wanting another hard working Gray…we had 10 brothers and sisters and now three remain. Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Addison serves as home for many members of our immediate family and other relatives and I am sure they were in His home waiting to greet you along with Hazel. As I look at it, life was too short for all of you but each worked an honest life surrounded by people who loved you. Go prepare a place for Barb, Mary and me and tell Mom and Dad we’ll join all of you when He requires another Gray. Show them your best Doweast personality. God Bless!!!
A great man….he will be missed. So sorry to your family for the many losses this year.
Sorry fir your lost Casey . Your in my thoughts and prayers.
I’ve been knowing the Gray family for most of my life. Had the privilege to call two of the brothers; my brother in laws. And all of the sister’s also are hard working honest people. My kids grew up with Mary, Mark, Linda and Karen. They were back and forth across the driveway many times a day. Milton and Hazel were fine people and will be missed by anyone who knew them. And yes God called them away much earlier than we wanted but we always know; God has a plan. Rest in peace. My heart is with the family.
Hello Family, I have enclosed a note that I received from Pastor Bob who was pastoring at Jay Baptist Church during the winter while Milton was sick, Pastor Bob went to the hospital to visit Milton and after he moved to Sandy River Nursing Care Center Pastor Bob also visited him there before he & his family moved back to North Carolina, He and Milton just hit it off and they sat and talked about working in the woods, (Pastor Bob worked for the Forestry Service in N.C before coming to Maine) and they also had great conversations about ocean fishing as both of them grew up on the coast, and more importantly they talked about life after Milton would leave this earth and Pastor Bob assured him that there was a place for him in heaven.Please see the note below from Pastor Bob, Joan Gray
Thanks for letting me know about Milton. The news of his home going is bitter sweet news to me. It is sad he had so little time left here but on the other hand I am overjoyed with what Milton is seeing right now. I wish I could be there in Maine to assure his family that he is most definatily with the Lord. He shared with me before we came back to NC that “when I get to heaven I got some people I have to say I’m sorry to, I got some people to thank, I’ll hold my little girl again and talk to her, I’ll see Jesus and know I am at home.
In all my years of Christan service and ministry I have never seen a life so radically changed. Please give everyone my love and give my regards to Milton’s family
Your Servant,
Bob
Pastor Bob. I wish I had been able to visit with you and my brother Milton. I am a Parkisonian and am moving deeper into the stages and there is no forseeable treatment and or cure. It is day to day and dictates my movement. But that isn’t my reason for writing this. I want to thank Joan for sharing your letter to her. From all I hear, she was a tremendous comforting sister-in-law as she has been to each of us. We are lucky to have her as a member of our family. Thank you Joan and Pastor Bob.
Love,
Caswell