PAUL ANTHONY GRAY

PORTLAND – Paul Anthony Gray, 42, died Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, at Mercy Hospital, Portland, after a long illness. He was born Nov. 30, 1965, in Pittsfield, son of Dalton E. Gray and VerDonna L. McDougal. Paul graduated from Nokomis High School, Class of 1983 and attended the University of Maine, Orono. He was employed at Stride Rite, Pittsfield, for a short time and then moved out of state. He worked maintenance for McDonalds, Connecticut, and also managed a Friendly’s restaurant in Manchester, Conn. With his failing health, he returned to Maine to be closer to his family. Paul was an avid reader, covering a wide range of interests. He loved playing chess with his stepfather, Colin, and enjoyed fishing for brook trout. One of his fondest memories growing up was the hours he played cribbage with his uncle, Angus Dow, in Dixmont. Paul was known for always thinking of others. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his mother, VerDonna McDougal and his stepfather, Colin McDougal; his father, Dalton E. Gray and his wife, Sandra, of Dixmont; his brother, Mark Gray and his wife, Sharon, of Center Valley, Pa.; his sister, Stephanie Gray of Jefferson; his grandmother, Vertina P. Jones of St. Albans; and two nieces, Brooke Marie Anderson and Alexandria Lee Anderson. A receiving of friends will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Ave., Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Paul’s memory to Manna Ministries, Inc., 629 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements are entrusted to Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield. To sign an online guest book and leave a message for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com.