Robert "Bob" Francis Gray, 91, passed away on November 8, 2022, in Old Saybrook, CT. Bob was known for being a true gentleman and a friend to all. He loved every friend of his family as if they were his own. He had a famous mischievous streak and laughter followed wherever he went.
Born in Dublin, Ireland on February 4, 1931, to Catherine nee Maguire and Robert Francis Gray. Bob’s youth was spent riding bikes, playing “real football” (soccer), and table tennis with his beloved siblings. After marrying his wife of 41 years, Adelaide (Cullen) Gray, Bob emigrated to the United States in November of 1959, making Danbury, CT home for his family. Bob had a successful career with the Grand Union Company and Liggett Rexall Drugs until his retirement. He was also a proud member of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union for many years.
Bob’s true legacy is the impact he had on his family and community. His greatest pride was his 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He was fiercely supportive of all his family’s endeavors and shared his deep love for his Irish heritage and culture with everyone he met. He loved Irish music and dancing and was incredibly proud of the Irish Dancing school his daughters built. He never missed a feis or a recital that his granddaughters performed in and he loved to throw a ball around in the yard with his grandsons, later enjoying their high school and collegiate level sports. At home, he spent countless hours cheering on the Mets, Notre Dame Football, and the Patriots and confidently expressed everything he would do to make those teams more successful.
Bob is predeceased by his wife, Adelaide, son Robert, sister Connie (Gray) Bennett, brother-in-law Gerry Bennett, brothers Johnny Gray and James Gray, and sister-in-law Betty Gray. He is survived by his brother Frank Gray and sister-in-law Kathleen of Ireland, his children Iris Gray Sharnick (Stephen) Maura Gray (William Milewski) and Brian Gray, grandchildren Stephen Sharnick (Anne), Brian Sharnick (Erica Carino), Kathleen Lynch (John), Kaela, Liam and Gillian Milewski and six great-grandchildren Susie, Kayleigh, Lucy, and Robert Sharnick, Kiera and Klodagh Lynch, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A wake will be held at Green Funeral Home on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 4 pm - 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph’s Church, Danbury, CT at 10 am on Tuesday, November 15. Burial will follow at St Peter’s Cemetery.
To live stream go to: https://www.stjosephchurchdanbury.org/ (This is the church's website), on the day of the service you will see the link. For more information and to share an online condolence, visit www.thegreenfuneralhome.com
