BLUE HILL, Maine — This small coastal town suffered a huge blow over the weekend after two town officials passed away unexpectedly in their homes.
Selectman Duan Gray and deputy town clerk Janet Torrey each passed away unexpectedly, according to Selectman Jim Schatz. Torrey, 51, died Saturday morning and Gray, 66, died Sunday morning.
Neither official had missed work or been ill, Schatz said, and cause of death in both cases is still unclear. Both leave children and large families behind.
“There’s basically six of us in Town Hall,” Schatz said. “Three selectmen and three full-time staff. This is like losing a third of our family.”
Gray was beginning his third term as a selectman, Schatz said. He was also a local pharmacist and member of the International Order of Odd Fellows who had been involved in high school athletics. Schatz said Gray was a single father of three, including one son who still lives at home.
Torrey had been a town employee for about seven years, Schatz said, and was integral in the town’s recent celebration for its 250th year. She leaves behind four daughters and several grandchildren, he said.
“The entire town is in mourning,” Schatz said Monday night. “Both Duane and Janet are well known. Their children grew up here and attended our schools. Their families are large and extended. It’s a terrible tragedy and it will be awhile before we get over it.”
Schatz said he and remaining Selectman John Bannister have yet to decide whether to hold a special election to fill Gray’s position or to wait until the annual town meeting next spring. He said Torrey’s and Gray’s families were still planning funeral services.
Follow Mario Moretto on Twitter at @riocarmine.
How sad. Prayers to the families, friends, and entire community.
very strange
Duane Gray, and Janet Butler Torrey, will missed by our little town of Blue Hill.
Duane, was a much trusted pharmacist, 1st at Partridge Drug Store, then in these last few years at Community Rx. He met every one with a smile, and knew what you were picking up without you having to ask.
I went to High school with Janet, we didn’t like each other in school, but as we grew up, and stopped being foolish, we found friendship. Janet loved to talk, and it was sometimes hard to get out of the town office because of that fact. I’ll miss both of these fine people. RIP both of you Rosie Pert Roberts
condolences of course, but what strikes me most here is your lovely honesty about your relationship with Janet. You are fortunate to have, as you put it, stopped being foolish. I find these relationships end up often being dear ones. Again, heart full for all of you in Blue Hill.
CWB, Rockland
Janet Butler Torrey, was one of a kind. Her life was not easy, she was given more sorrow, and hardship then many of us could bear. She knew me where ever we met, and if I didn’t see her she would go out of her way to speak to me. We were not every day friends, and I might not see her for years. The talking and caring came easy with us, after we stopped being “foolish”. I’m going to miss her smile, and the brightening of her eye’s as she saw me walk into the town office. I’m sure a lot of Blue Hill feels the same.
Why would you think foul play? Janet passed away in her sleep and Duane had a massive heart attack! I don’t believe anyone is attempting to overthrow Blue Hill’s government.
Why would’t you consider foul play? Times like these deserve guidance with an open mind.Stranger things have happened in stranger and smaller towns. The victims and their families have the right for closure and piece of mind. A coincidence like this needs to be explored. That is why police officers enter a scene knowing that anything is possible. Besides we are Mainers and don’t like to be left dangling. That is my opinion, from this open mind.
Oh Brother!!!! I’ll give the benefit of doubt, coincidences happen. If a third one passes before month end then I’d be wondering.
Good grief, really? You’d rather wait and see if someone else dies as a course of action? I would hate to be one of the four left in that case. I’d probably be fighting to find our if anyone had harmed my co-workers. Rather know for sure than always wonder because I left it to the BENEFIT OF DOUBT.
Sounds like you considered foul play because it sounds like a potentially juicy story. Sorry, no, these were acts of God that have left the entire community grieving. Take your voyeurism and nosiness somewhere else.
Voyeur. A news article. An open forum, my opinion is just as special as yours, and everyone else here. Handle it.
Both were born and raised in Blue Hill. Duane and Janet always had a kind word and smile for everyone they met. Duane was the first person I met when I started seeing the man that is my husband today. I used to sit for Duane’s children and have known Janet since she was 17 years old. Will miss both immensely! RIP Janet and Duane!
I doubt whether there’s anyone in the area who didn’t know Duane. Everybody loved him and this really is such a blow to his family and the community. Blue Hill truly won’t be the same without him. My whole family is deeply saddened by his loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight and in the days to come. Duane–you meant so much to the entire community. You’re going to be missed very much.
They will both be missed very much. I have know both of them for years, although I am “from away.” My daughter and Janet’s daughter were good friends in grammar school and high school. My father worked for Warren Gray, Duane’s father when we first moved to Maine. I could go on with the connections, but I won’t. We all know the important connections that happen in a very small community, like the lovely town of Blue Hill. My sincerest condolences go out to both families and to the entire town. RIP Duane and Janet.
Nadine Lewis
Wow that is terrible. Condolences to all friends, and family members, and to the Townspeople of Blue Hill.
Shame on you.
I vividly remember Duane from when I was four years old, if not younger, and throughout my high-school years, as the warm presence (always, ALWAYS, with a smile) up on the platform in the pharmacy section at the back of the old Partridge Drugstore (this dates back to the time when the pharmacy was open for 15 minutes on Sundays, so people could pick up their prescriptions that they’d gotten that day at BHMH). And, in memory anyway, always wearing a light-blue work “uniform” for lack of a better word. He was also our across-the-street neighbor. What a really, really great guy, whom I don’t believe I’ve seen in years and years, but whom I remember as if it were yesterday.
And Janet, who also lived across the street from us in my childhood (Duane and Janet lived next to each other during that time, I believe), I remember as someone who was always good with kids, which I was at the time — she talked with my sister and me, and joked around with us, as if we were on her level: none of the “oh look at you, you’re so cute, you’re nine” stuff.
Bless them both for their part in making Blue Hill the really special place it is.
And condolences to everyone.
Steve Schneider.
Hmmmm I would hope every option is investigated..I mean what are the odds?
Seriously? This story on a double tragedy to a small town is a good place to air your anti Bush rant?
As a nation we believed Bush when he entered us into two horrible wars based on lies..I would ask what if any issues were the Town Officials working on..or follow the money!
Duane and Janet were beloved members of the Blue Hill community. They were family, friend, co-worker and LOVED. Rest in Peace my dear friends, Janet and Duane. God’s speed. No foul play here. Just a hard coincidence to swallow. Prayers to the families from the Billings family in Deer Isle.