Richard Reginald "Dick" Gray

Richard Reginald "Dick" Gray, 85, died on Sunday morning, Sept. 30, 2012, a member of "America's Greatest Generation" departed this life for his final resting after a short stay in the Harrisburg Hospital. Mr. Gray suffered respiratory failure and passed away peacefully having been in failing health for the past few years.

He was born in Lewistown, Pa., on Oct. 28, 1926, to the late James and Claire Schambaugh Gray. Dick grew up along with his only brother, Mack Gray, in several towns as his family struggled through the Great Depression. He lived his youth in Newport, Elliotsburg, Landisburg, Loganton and Lock Haven. World War II brought the family to central PA where Dick attended Mechanicsburg High School and worked at Olmsted Air Base with his father and brother during the summers. He was drafted into the Navy in 1944 in the middle of his senior year of high school. He served honorably aboard the USS Corry, DDG-817.

When he returned from the military, Mr. Gray worked in the Mechanicsburg area and on Nov. 25, 1951, he married the love of his life, Mary Louise Coller. The two of them built their home in 1959 and lived out their lives in Mechanicsburg at the same address. Together they raised two sons and built a life together focused on family and community. Mr. Gray was a skilled mechanic working for LB Smith among other firms. He battled cancer and a heart attack, beating them both. He continued to work until he retired at 80 years of age. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, VFW Post 4709, American Legion Post 109 and the Citizens Fire and Rescue #2 all of Mechanicsburg. During his life, he was a rock of stability that all could count on and one of the kindest people anyone could ever know. He will be missed greatly by his family and those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou in 1990, by his brother Mack in 1988, and is survived by his two sons, Michael of Mechanicsburg and John and his wife Margie of Chambersburg. He has two grandchildren, Allison of New Hope, Pa., and Dr. Patrick Gray and his wife Kara and their son Colin of Springfield, Va.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. at his church 626 Williams Grove Road, Mechanicsburg with his pastor, the Rev. John Ward-Diorio, officiating. There will be a viewing on Wednesday evening, Oct. 3, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hollinger Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 501 N. Baltimore Ave., Mt. Holly Springs, Pa., and also at the church on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until time of services.

Interment will be in the Mechanicsburg Cemetery with military honors being provided by the Cumberland County Honor Guard. The family would like memorial contributions made to the Parkinson Disease Foundation 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, N.Y,N.Y. 10018.