BREWER and ADDISON – Reginald F. Gray, 93, died Jan. 1, 2010, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. He was born Sept. 14, 1916, in Addison, the son of Marcellus and Florence (Coffin) Gray. Reginald was a self-employed wood harvester for many years. During World War II, he worked in the South Portland shipyard as a welder, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He then returned to Addison and drove trucks hauling lobsters and at one time he drove for Eastern Fine Paper, Brewer. He was a dozer operator and a welder whose marine worm hoes were well known for the quality of workmanship he put into them. In 1983, Reginald moved to Bangor due to his wife’s illness, to be closer to the hospital. After her death, he resided with his daughter and husband, and continued doing what he loved, mowing lawns and other handyman jobs until age 88, when he moved to the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. He was a member of American Legion, Post 84 of Orono and Tuscan Lodge AF & AM No.106, Addison. He is survived by his children, Ronald and Charlene Gray of Addison, Adelaide and Robert Garnett of North Anson, and Sally and Hillson Beal of Brewer; his grandchildren, Lorena and Rusty Gay of Cherryfield, Pamela and Chris Doane of Virginia, Grace Falzarano and her partner, John Porter, of Columbia Falls, Eve and Richard Alley of Addison, Ronald A. and Annette Gray of Addison, Priscilla and Eddie Ellis of North Anson, Al and Marikaye Garnett of New Hampshire, Robert and Denise Garnett of Bangor, Timothy and Chris Garnett of Hampden, Kevin and Linda Garnett of Michigan, Allison and Dennis Wagner of Hampden, and Deedra and Geoff Dapice of Brewer; 34 great-grandchildren, 20 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Elizabeth H. Emerson of Jonesport; two sisters-in-law, Julia Crowley of Brewer and Ottilie “Dolly” Gray of Carmel; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Cora (Drisko) Gray, in 1984; brothers, Reuben, Millard and Philip Gray; and sisters, Ida Grant, Gertrude Gray and Florence Crowley. Reggie was also predeceased by his special friend, Bernadette Smith, in 2006. He will be fondly remembered by Bernadette’s children, Marsha and Peter Williamson, Patsy and Danny Guerrette, Dale and Polly Daigle, Joe and Jean Megquier, and Bobb Higgins. The family expresses their thanks to the staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home and especially to his friends on unit E. A celebration of life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, with Elder Clifford Gray officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments after the service at Brookings-Smith Reception Rooms. Those who wish to remember Reginald may make memorial contributions to Indian River Cemetery Society, care of Ronald F. Gray, 977 Indian River Road, Addison, ME 04606. Burial will be on Memorial Day, May 31, at Indian River Cemetery, Jonesport. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
REGINALD F. GRAY
