Robert J "Bob" Gray Sr.

1922 - 2008

Housatonic - Robert J. "Bob" Gray, Sr., formerly of Housatonic, passed away on Nov. 19, in Sebastian, Fla.
Bob was born in Yonkers, N.Y., in 1922, son of Robert J. Gray and Ethel Hambidge Gray. He attended Yonkers schools before moving to the Berkshires in 1939.
In February, 1946, he married the former Emma Mello, also of Housatonic with whom he raised two sons.
Bob worked as a design draftsman at General Electric in Pittsfield, receiving a government commendation for his work on the Polaris missile system.
Bob was devoted to the service of his country. He entered the army in 1942 and attended officers' training school at Fort Benning, Ga. Because of the need for non-commission officers, he was sent overseas in 1944 two weeks after D-Day as a staff sergeant. He served in the European Theater as a member of his beloved Tenth Armored Division under his favorite general, George Patton, until he was evacuated in December of that because of combat-related injuries. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
Bob was an original member of the James A. Modolo Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of which he was a lifetime member. He was a fixture each year at Memorial Day Parades in which he marched with great pride. One of his final acts was repairing his hurricane-damaged flag pole so he could fly the colors every day of the year.
Bob devoted many years to the Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Master, Scout Master and as a District Commissioner. He loved camping and the outdoors and enjoyed nothing more than teaching his scouts not only outdoor skills, but honor and loyalty as well. He continued his service to his community as a member of the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee for several years.
He was a man of strong faith and served as both an Acolyte and a Deacon of St. James Church in Gt. Barrington. He continued his devotion to his faith after moving to Florida where he trained acolytes at St. Elizabeth Parish in Sebastian.
Bob loved to fish, both in the lakes and rivers of the Berkshires, and in the Atlantic Ocean on Cape Cod and in Florida. His luck varied, but he loved being by the water and casting his line hopefully.
Bob's real passion following his retirement was casting and painting military miniatures. Although he sold his toy soldiers both in the Berkshires and as a member of the Sebastian Crafts Club, he like nothing better than giving away a model and making a kid smile.
Bob leaves his wife of Sebastian, Fla., and two sons, Christopher, also of Sebastian, and Robert Jr. of Housatonic. He also leaves four grandchildren, Robert III of Vero Beach, Fla., Jennifer of Sebastian, Fla., Erin of Gt. Barrington, and Christopher of Pensacola, Fla., as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Wright.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service for the late Robert J. Gray, Sr. will be held at BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME in Gt. Barrington on Friday, Dec. 5th at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at St. Bridget's Cemetery in Housatonic. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution should do so to the Great Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America.