GEORGE R. CRAY PALMYRA – George R. Cray, 74, died unexpectedly Nov. 4, 2007, at a Pittsfield hospital after a period of ill health. He was born Sept. 9, 1933, in Dexter, the son of Miles L. and Fern L. (Richardson) Cray. George was a graduate of Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield, Class of 1952. On July 4, 1954, George Cray married Sylvia Petersen in Newport. They made their home on the family farm in Palmyra for 47 years, until her death Aug. 2, 2001. George worked the family farm and sold his produce at a farm stand on Route 2, Palmyra Village, for almost 50 years. He looked forward to meeting people at the stand and made many lasting friendships over the years. He also drove school bus for MSAD No. 48 for 39 years. He was a strong supporter of Nokomis sports and one of his greatest joys was being able to drive the sports teams to their games and meets. While his sons were growing up George was a Little League coach and then a Babe Ruth coach. George and Sylvia always supported their sons and their grandchildren in whatever event that they took part in and you could always see them usually in the front row cheering for them. George served the town of Palmyra in many different ways; he was a selectman for several years, the town cemetery sexton for many years, the road commissioner and he served on many other town committees. George enjoyed the outdoors especially while hunting and fishing. He was a longtime Red Sox fan. He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Michael and Donna Cray, and Dean and Darlene Cray, all of Palmyra; two brothers and their wives, Robert and Marion Cray, and Kenneth and Mary Jane Cray, all of Palmyra; five grandchildren and their partners, Amanda and Wayne, Jennifer and Michael, Jacob and Danielle, Tonya and BJ, and Deanne and Dale; six great-grandchildren, Chase, Megan, Hailey, Michael, Natalie and Ethan; several nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by a brother-in-law and his wife, Roland and Alma Petersen of Newport. Friends may call 3-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, 34 High St., Newport. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at High Street Congregational Church, 24 High St., Newport, with Pastor Al Worden officiating. Burial will be at Palmyra Village Cemetery. Friends who wish may make donations to Nokomis Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, in memory of George and Sylvia Cray, P.O. Box 100, Newport, ME 04953. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, Newport. To sign an online guest book and leave written tributes, please visit www.philipbrownfuneralhome.com.
GEORGE R. CRAY
