ABRAHAM LOUIS (ABE) GRAY

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ABRAHAM LOUIS (ABE) GRAY Born in Winnipeg, May 16, 1923. Spent his last days surrounded by the care, love and devotion of his family and died Vancouver, July 15, 2002. Eldest child of Max and Ida Gray. Abe cherished his role as beloved father to Mark (Maryann) of Los Angeles, Patricia (David Doucette), Alexandra, and Anthony (Bina Eliahu) of Vancouver; and cherished grandfather to Noa, Elizabeth, Madeleine, Libby, Maxwell and Maya. He also leaves his dear siblings, brother Gerry of Winnipeg; and sisters, Mitzi Gray of Montreal and Shirley Ahlquist of San Francisco. Abe was born into the soft drink industry, where his father was Winnipegs 7-Up bottler. Abe graduated from St. Johns High School, Winnipeg and entered the RCAF as a navigator in 1942. In 1945 he returned to the family business and on January 1, 1948 established Gray Beverage in Vancouver as the 7-Up bottler. From 1948 to 1987 he continued to expand his business by adding Crush, Pepsi, Perrier and Schweppes franchises and expanded his company throughout British Columbia and into Alberta. At the time he sold in 1987, he employed over 700 people in British Columbia and Alberta. He was a constant participant in his industry affairs, serving as Chair of the Canadian Soft Drink Association 1967 - 1969. He has stayed involved with a variety of other business ventures. Abes business career also included his founding membership of the B.C. Chapter of Young Presidents Organization. Abes community and philanthropic activities were bountiful, with particular pride in his endowments of the Abe Gray Chair in Entrepreneurship and the Abe Gray Presidents Prize in Excellence, both at the Business School of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He also supported The Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Vancouver Hospital Eye Clinic. Service at Schara Tzedeck Cemetery, 2345 Marine Drive, New Westminister, BC on Wednesday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made to: The Foundation Fighting Blindness - Canada, Suite 703, 60 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4T 1N5 or in the USA - The Foundation Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore MD 21297-0495, or BC Parkinsons, Suite 600, 890 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1J9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2002