CAPTAIN MELVIN H. GRAY

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CAPTAIN MELVIN H. GRAY It is with great sadness that the Gray family announces the passing of Melvin H. Gray on January 28, 2002 after a courageous battle with cancer, he was 81 years old. He is survived by his wife Joan; his seven children Robyn, Patricia (Earl), Paul (Priscilla), Penny (Dan), David (Sheryl), Pamela (Jaimie), Michael; 11 grand-children, three great-grandchildren and his sister Dorthy (Don) Mathieson. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Eleanor and parents, Seth and Kathleen Gray. Born April 28, 1920 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Mel attended Gordon Bell High School where he excelled in both academic and extra-curricular activities. An avid set designer for the schools theatre department, Mel used his skills for many school productions. During the summers of his youth Mel was fortunate enough to work as a life guard in Kansas City, USA. He served his country in the Second World War with the RAF in England as a pilot instructor and in the later part of the war in Canada with the RCAF. After the war, he joined TCA (Air Canada) where he served 34 years as a pilot and retired in 1980 as a senior captain. He was also active in the Winnipeg Kinsmen where he served as President from 1957 to 1958 and was a quintessential booster of bringing the Red River Exhibition to Winnipeg in the later 1950s. A keen intellect and an entrepreneurial spirit, Mel pursued several small businesses, two of which were Courtesy Bus Bench Advertising and Grays PVC Furniture. In the early 1990s Mel decided to start his retirement and began to travel extensively. His interest in Asian history brought him to travel throughout China on several occasions and Nepal three years ago. His last trip was an Alaskan cruise this past September. His most enjoyable adventures were those with his family, be it Harley riding with David and Robyn, fishing with Dan, poolside afternoons with Penny, working the ranch with Patricia, Grand Beach with Paul and Priscilla, gardening with Sheryl, visiting with Pamela and Jaimie, or chatting with Micheal. After a lifetime of seeing the world his favourite place was his beloved home of nearly 50 years in East St. Paul. Special thanks to the wonderful staff of the Health Sciences Centre, Wing 4D, for their compassionate care of Mel. We invite those who were close to Mel to join the family in celebrating his life on Sunday, February 17 at the University Womens Club of Winnipeg, 54 Westgate, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, spend time with a loved one.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2002