John S. Gray

1946 - 2020

John Shapley Gray of Avon and Westbrook, CT went home to God on February 12, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in New London, CT on March 6, 1946 to John Shapley Gray and Marjorie Allen Gray. He leaves behind his cherished wife Marie Scully Gray and beloved son William Francis Gray and his wife Jenna Pietrick Gray and grandchildren Andrew, Evan and Hannah Gray, all of Avon. In addition, he is survived by his sister Linda Gray Bednarz and her husband Paul of Fort Myers, FL and brother-in-law Edward F. Scully and his wife Mary Beth Scully of Farmington, CT. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. A friend to many, John also leaves behind many friends who provided continuing support to his family during his illness. Armed with keen mind and a unique ability to problem solve, John had a long career as an educator beginning in the Wethersfield Public Schools in 1969. He taught life science at Silas Deane Jr. High School and went on to Wethersfield High School where he designed and implemented the first computer science courses. Always looking for new challenges, he left Wethersfield in 1983 and joined Computer Systems Research, a software design firm in Avon, CT as a Senior Software Engineer. At CSR, he designed software used in schools and businesses throughout the country. Spurred on by his love of teaching, he returned to education and joined the University of Hartford in 1984 where he played an integral part in the creation of the Computer Science Department. His office door was always open to students seeking help or the opportunity to talk about their work. John was a key designer of a new major, Interactive Information Technology and Multimedia Web Design, which he chaired until his retirement in 2014. At the University, John became Full Professor in 1999 and served as Chair of the Computer Science Department from 2008-2014 when he retired as a Professor Emeritus. While at the University, he wrote numerous computer related articles and several books that were published worldwide and also translated into foreign languages. In addition, John created Gray Software Development, a technical consulting firm, which provided him the opportunity to work closely with his son. Despite his professional successes, the focus and love of his life was his family. He loved spending time with his wife of 47 years, Marie and his son Bill who worked alongside his Dad for years on networking, software consulting projects and home improvement projects. He loved working with his grandchildren who mutually delighted in working with Papa in his workshops at home and in Westbrook. John was a constant fixture at their basketball, baseball, and flag football sporting events and other activities. The highlight for him was summer at the beach in Westbrook where whiffle ball games, picnicking on the beach, and pushing his grandchildren on the swing delighted him. John's family would like to thank the relatives and friends who provided continual support to them during his illness. Your faithfulness will never be forgotten. In addition, the family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at UCONN Medical Center for their expertise and care as well as the nurses and staff at Touchpoints at Farmington for their compassionate care and support during his stay there. Family and friends are invited to call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Rt. 4, Unionville, CT on Sunday, February 16th from 3:00-6:00 PM. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Monday, February 17th at 9:15 AM followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Ann, 289 Arch Rd., Avon at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Avon. Spurred by his belief in the preciousness of life, John was a donor for more than thirty years to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to help children and their families battle childhood diseases. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.ahernfuneralhome.com.