JOHN ASHLEY GRAY

KENNEBUNK – John Ashley Gray died unexpectedly July 14, 2008. He was born June 10, 1948, in Belfast, the son of Ashley and Adelaide (Clements) Gray. He graduated from New Britain High School, New Britain, Conn., in 1965. He volunteered and served in the Army Security Agency, stationed at Fort Devens, Mass., Sinop, Turkey, and Chitose, Japan. He attended Central Connecticut State College and graduated from the University of Maine Law Enforcement Program in 1977. John worked for the Orono Police Department and was a lieutenant at the University of Maine Police and Safety Department. Upon moving to Kennebunk in 1993, he worked for the University of New England Police Department. He was currently working at the University of Southern Maine as a project manager in the Engineering and Architectural Services Department. John had a number of diverse interests. During his lifetime, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, an amateur surveyor, a skilled chess player, a book collector and enjoyed learning about and collecting guns. He was an avid reader and short wave radio enthusiast and could converse on many different topics. John appreciated the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and hiking around the woods and blueberry fields. Throughout his life he continued an interest in family history and contributed valuable information to a number of genealogy publications. A proud grandfather, he was looking forward to enjoying his grandson, Tyler. He is survived by two sons, Ashley Cotton Gray of Falmouth and Nathan Silas Gray of Brighton, Mass.; two daughters, Rachel Marian Gray of Cape Porpoise and Kathleen Andrews Gray of Kennebunk; his father, Ashley Gray of Searsport; his sister, Margaret and her husband, Paul Klotzle, of Searsport; four nieces and one nephew. He was predeceased by his mother, Adelaide Clements Gray, in April 2008. John had recently become a grandparent when his daughter, Rachel gave birth to Tyler John Talamelli in May. He had remained in close contact with his former wife, Jean Andrews Gray of Kennebunk. He will be greatly missed by many people. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Aug. 2, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Swanville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Belfast Free Library, 106 High St., Belfast, ME 04915 to enlarge their genealogy collection.