Edward John Jay Gray

Jay was born on August 11, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Vancouver, BC, when he was a child. Growing up loving sailing, Jay was always the “wild child” and enjoyed life to its fullest. It was in Vancouver that Jay met his wife, Erna. They were married on November 23rd, 1985, at Jay’s parents’ house in Vancouver. Jay and Erna lived in Whistler, where their children, Erin and Trevor, were raised. Jay’s enjoyment of life, and all the people in it, never faltered, and he adored his wife and children most of all.

Jay worked as a bus driver for Whistler Transit until shortly before his diagnosis. Prior to driving for Whistler Transit, Jay drove a trolley bus and owned his own taxi in Whistler, which he drove along with his brother-in-law, Albert. He loved his work driving the bus, and seemingly everyone knew him on a first-name basis or as “the happy bus driver”. Jay also loved his time volunteering as a scout leader, with his son when Trevor was young, and being a volunteer firefighter.

Jay was a joy to be around and was always smiling. He was even-keeled, and he saw the best in people. He was able to make anyone’s day better and would go out of his way to help anyone, friend or stranger alike. If he had the opportunity to make someone’s day easier, he would do whatever he could. His family, friends, coworkers, and bus passengers will all remember him as a kind, friendly, funny, and affable man.

He is survived by his wife, Erna; his daughter, Erin Bertram (husband, Greg); his mother, Doris; his sister, Cindy Nicholas (husband, Tim) and their children (Andrew (wife, Natasha, children Benjamin and Nathaniel), Christine (husband, Nick), and Mathew (husband, Jorge)); his son’s friend, Andrew Hickson; as well as his multitude of relatives from Australia including his Aunt, Leneen Forde, and all of her family.

He is predeceased by his son, Trevor; his father, John; his sister, Andrea; his grandmother (“Granny”), Evelyn Kavanagh; his niece, Mirelle Nicholas; his mother-in-law, Nettie Huber; and his many beloved cats and dogs over the years, including Mer, Meeko, Squeeker, and Max.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the animal shelter in Whistler (WAG), or to a charity of your choice, in Jay’s name.

A celebration of life will be held privately at a later date, announced to friends and family.

Erna wishes to extend her sincere gratitude to all of the friends and family who have supported her and offered her their hospitality in the time since Jay was diagnosed. There are many people at Lions Gate Hospital that she wishes to thank in particular: the nurse, Vincent, on 2 East; everyone in the ICU; and all of the care aides who make the nurses’ jobs easier.