Joseph Stewart Gray

October 28, 1954 - July 26, 2017

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Joe. Family was everything to Joe and his many acts of kindness, love and companionship will forever be treasured in our hearts. Being the oldest of five children, Joe was naturally a leader. His only job working at Brenton Gray’s Boatyard put him in touch with his community, and his wonderful talents, friendships and helpfulness will forever resonate in the hearts of many. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University, but he was really an engineer at heart. If you needed something designed and built, all you had to do was tell Joe and he could make your dreams come true. Although Joe was retired, he never stopped working. At home, Joe was always operating heavy machinery and was in his element excavating, moving rocks, digging holes and cutting wood; and when his work was done, he was off to help family, friends and neighbours. He was a gentle soul with a wonderful smile that filled the room. He loved to laugh, tell stories and play tricks on his family and friends. Joe was at home in the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and fur babies at his Ragged Lake camp. His “Little White Doggie” (Pebbles) gave Joe unconditional love and it warms our hearts to know she is with him. We want everyone to know that Joe belonged to us all. He was easy to love and brought so much joy and laughter to our lives.

Joe leaves behind his wife and soul mate, Maria Mulder; his children, Jordon and Maddison, and their mother, Lisa; stepchildren, Rachel, Stephanie and Mike; his father, Brenton Gray; his siblings, Brian (Sarah), Joyce (Bob) Henneberry, Brenton (Shelly) and Scott (Kristal); his nieces and nephews, Kelly, Benjamin, Sophee, Dennis, Darren, Chad, Meghan, Courtney, Evan and McKayla; his great nieces and great nephew, Jemma, Ava, Kyley, Brooklyn and Carter; his aunts and uncles, Patsy, Shirley, Margaret (Don) McGrath, Claude (Linda), Violet, Mary (Winslow) Boutilier, Goldie (Sherman) Hart, Murray (Phyllis), Shirley (Gary) Withers and Wayne (Glenda). Joe was predeceased by his mother, Madeline; his grandparents, Lillian and Joseph, and Margaret and Samuel; his uncles, Arthur, Donald, Harold Miller and Melvin. There will be no visitation by family request.

Arrangements are under the care of J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 2 at 2:30 p.m. in St. Michael’s Catholic Church (Spryfield), followed by a reception in the church hall. There will be a private family burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joe may be made to a charity of your choice.