PLYMOUTH – Ralph C. Gray, 88, passed away peacefully, Aug. 17, 2009, surrounded by his family, after a long illness. He was born April 17, 1921, in Levant, a son of Norman and Elizabeth (Knowlton) Gray. The family moved to Plymouth during his childhood. From an early age, Ralph was a hard worker on the farm and built roads for the town. He later worked in the woods, and in factories in Connecticut. In 1943, Ralph learned a new line of work when he entered the U.S. Army at Fort Devons, Mass. He became an ambulance driver and was assigned to advanced training in Arizona. While stationed in Arizona, Ralph was stricken with a serious illness, which stayed with him throughout his life. He learned to fly on the GI Bill, and loved piloting open-cockpit airplanes around central Maine. While visiting his family in Maine, he met Charlotte McAtee, and they married June 16, 1956. Ralph, Charlotte and their two young daughters, Toni and Donna, lived in Connecticut for a short time before moving to Plymouth. That’s when their son, David was born. Ralph worked at several local mills until his service-related illness forced him to retire. Ralph was a very proud World War II veteran, a life member of American Legion and a past commander of Barrows-Skidgel Post No. 105, Newport. He loved hunting and fishing, and spent countless hours on the water with his children. In later years, he enjoyed watching two of his grandsons compete in motocross races. Most of all, Ralph was an extraordinarily loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved all of his family very much. He had a tremendous determination to live to see his family grow, and he did. In addition to his wife of 53 years, he is survived by two daughters, Toni Pinkham of Manchester, N.H., and Donna Carrigan and husband, Don, of Walpole; a son, David Gray and wife, Michelle, of Plymouth; Bradley Stewart of Lincoln, who lived with the family for a number of years; 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Earl Gray; and a sister, Dorothy Stewart. Ralph’s family thanks the staff of East Side Rehabilitation Center, Bangor, for their loving care and friendship to Ralph. Friends may call 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church, Plymouth, with the Rev. Robert Emrich officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Sawyer Cemetery, Plymouth. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Ralph’s memory are invited to make donations to Vet Aid Program of the American Legion, care of Department of Maine, American Legion, P.O. Box 900, Waterville, ME 04903. Those who wish may leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com.
RALPH CHESTER GRAY
