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TIMOTHY EARL GRAY (TIM)
Born: Aug 16, 1951
Date of Passing: Mar 13, 2021
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TIMOTHY EARL GRAY
Tim passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at his home in Toronto after a heroic two and one-half year battle with a myriad of health issues which he faced with courage and integrity.
His childhood was spent in the family home on Scotia Street in West Kildonan. Those who knew him in his early years would attest to the fact that his devastating charm was evident even as a young child. He graduated from the University of Manitoba, majoring in Economics in the spring of 1972. That summer, he embarked on the first of many adventures and accepted a job as a summer intern at Grindlay's Bank in London, England. Within weeks he was offered a position as an executive trainee and accepted. After a year of training, he was chosen to be the personal assistant to Lord Aldington, the Chairman of the Bank, being the first non-U.K. resident and the youngest person to be given this opportunity. This was the start of several years of unparalleled excitement and experiences for Tim. His years with Grindlay's took him to Beirut and Bahrain and eventually led him back to Canada in 1981.
After leaving Grindlay's, he remained involved in various businesses in the private sector in both Montreal and Toronto. During these years he welcomed two beautiful sons, Alexander and Christopher, both of whom brought him immeasurable joy. His most recent position was serving as President and owner of Spire Sharwood.
In 1992, Tim met the love of his life Louise and they were married in July, 1994. They were blessed with the arrival of Margaret Antonia (Marni) in April of 2001 and life took on new meaning.
Being a father was vital to Tim and he reveled in his children's successes and despaired over their struggles.
Tim is survived by his beloved wife Louise; his children, Alexander, Christopher and Marni; his sister Lisa and her husband Harold, their children and grandchildren; his special cousins, Peter, Martha and Sandy, their families; Susan's family, the Gray cousins, and Louise's family who were all very dear to him.
Tim will be remembered for his incredible warmth, his fondness for babies and children, his love for business, his mercurial temper which left as quickly as it came, his innate ability to convey empathy, his mastery of foreign accents, his amazing hugs, his passion for good food and the intoxicating timbre of his voice. He was the quintessential joke-teller. Tim was at his essence brilliant, kind, charming and a true gentleman with a fierce capacity to live life to the fullest. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed.
Very special thanks to Dr. Peter Leung and Dr. Victor Hoffstein. Heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sudi Devanesan for many years of friendship and his compassionate care.
Cremation has taken place. As restrictions ease, we will join together later in the year to honour Tim in both Toronto and Winnipeg.
Should you desire, in lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Tim to a charity of your choice.
"Good night, sweet prince.
May flights of angels fly thee to thy rest."
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 20, 2021
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I'm was not aware of Tim's passing, so the late note here. I grew up with Tim in Winnipeg. I was a member of a small group of Jews that Tim befriended. Not a usual occurrence when we were growing up. One other member of the group was someone by the name of Earl Parker, who was living in Edmonton. Earl passed away a few years ago. I remember his house on Scotia Street in Winnipeg along the Red River. I knew Tim in Winnipeg. I knew Tim while we were at the University of Manitoba. I saw Tim when I was living in London, England. I saw Tim again when he was working for the banks in Toronto. I saw Tim when he was working at Spire Sharwood with Mike Caven. I saw Tim when he was hanging around having a smoke at King and Yonge outside his office. I remember Tim smoking Gauloise cigarettes in London, England. Tim was character. And I mean that in every positive way. Witty. Sense of humour. Sense of fair play. Tim wasn't perfect, just like the rest of us, but Tim was just a great guy. Tim was fun to be around, and fun to hang around with. Although I haven't seen him in quite a while, just thinking that he's not around makes me sad. Cracking a joke with Tim was one of life's great pleasures. And nothing, nothing was better than hanging out with Tim at the corner of King and Yonge. My belated condolences to his family. I'll always remember Tim as he was in London, England or as a kid in Winnipeg. For me, he'll always be around. But I do wish that I could share a joke with him one more time. - Posted by: Jake Chazan (Freind) on: Jul 20, 2022
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Our sincere condolences to Tim's family near and far, and to my dear friend Lisa on the loss of your beloved brother. 🙏🏻 Rosa and George Rakic - Posted by: George and Rosa Rakic (Family friend) on: Mar 20, 2021
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Tim was my first cousin on my father's side and in fact, he was his Uncle Andrew's beloved godson. We 6 cousins were as close as siblings, both physically and spiritually, until the day Tim left Winnipeg in 1972, but until that time every holiday and family celebration was spent together and we witnessed his growth into a clever fellow, eager to move his life in new and adventurous directions. Tim was warm, loving and had an extravagant sense of humour. His talent for joke telling and impersonating accents was so spot on we clamoured for more at every encounter! And so, we have missed Tim since the moment we knew he had left us. We must take comfort, however, knowing he is now without pain, and has been taken once again into the loving embrace of his awaiting parents. To Louise, Alexander, Christopher and Marni, I send love and condolences for the loss of one so dear and memorable, and to Lisa, his devoted sister, an understanding of what you have lost, a brother but also a loyal confidante. Ciao . . . Tim!! - Posted by: Martha Ciccocioppo (cousin) on: Mar 20, 2021
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I met Tim only once. Once being enough to leave me with such Fond Memories and a lasting impression. It was on the morning of a Family Wedding at Harold and Lisa's House. Tim, in his Wisdom decided he and I would cook Breakfast for the House Guests. He would play the Role of Head Chef and of course he assigned me to the Role of Sous Chef. I hasten to add I was a Head Chef for 30+ years, but decided Tim's choice, on the Day was perfect. The Stove was fired up, literally, and we got to work. Well what an experience. Tim with sleeves rolled up, racing from Stove to Table, so many times my head was spinning. I swear Tim insisted on Cooking up a Storm, enough Food to Feed Steinbach and beyond. You name it, it was on those platters. Let's just say not one of the Guests went hungry. Tim slid into that Role with Gusto, and every bit of Food was produced with Love and Care, that was evident. After the Ceremony, and before the Reception, some of us Congregated in the Kitchen. There stood the Terrible Twins, Brothers in Arms, Tim and Harold (my Brother). It turned out to be a Show, a mass Jokeathon. Both those men trying to outdo one another in the Storytelling stakes. They had us in stitches. Their Wicked sense of humour is Legendary. Those precious Memories will stay with me forever, to Cherish my meeting with Tim. My Sincerest Sympathy to Louise and Family, to my Sister (in-law) Lisa (hugs) and Brother Harold and all the wider Family Circle. Blessings from Ireland in this time of sadness and sorrow. You are all in my Heart and in my Prayers at this time. I'm so sorry I cannot be there at this time. Safe and at Peace in Paradise. Yvonne.. X - Posted by: Yvonne Patterson (Friend) on: Mar 20, 2021