Roy George Gray was born in Vancouver BC May 14 1931 and spent his early years growing up in East Vancouver. Roy’s family moved to Gibson in his late teens and ran a family store. It was in the backroom of this store that Roy proposed to (Olive) Joyce Smith, Valentines Day 1951. Roy and Joyce were married September 20th 1952 and made their long term residence in Chilliwack. Roy and Joyce raised 2 children, Barry and Debbie. Roy was the ultimate family man – summers were spent at Sunny Side Campground, winters spent with family ski trips, and almost all weekends involved some family activity. When grandchildren arrived, it only further strengthened his commitment to family. Roy and Joyce had an amazing 57 years together and enjoyed travel with many trips to Hawaii, drives across Canada, and through Mexico but the priority was always family. Roy was preceded by his wife June 26 2008. Joyce battled Alzheimer’s and Kidney disease. Roy will always be remembered for the strength, love and devotion he provided Joyce, caring for her at home through her illness until her passing.
Together with his father Cliff and brother Wilf, Graysons Beverages was started and it remained a family run business up until he sold it in the early 80's.
When not working, Roy was a volunteer fireman for over 50 years, was an active member in the “singing” Rotary Club, a Board Member of Big Brothers & Sisters, and continually looked for ways to give back to his community. As a result Roy was honored with a room named after him in the new City Hall Building. Roy was an active man; in his younger years he was a hockey referee, played baseball, water skied, played tennis, curled, enjoyed walks/hikes, and snow skied well into his 70’s and shared his passions with his children and grandchildren.
Roy had his first known stroke in 2010 that resulted in declined mobility. Dementia slowly crept in and Roy continued to have mini strokes until a massive stroke took him on November 27 2018. Roy was an inspiration to his children, grandchildren and all that knew him. Roy always made new members of our expanding family feel like they belonged and treated them as he did his immediate family; he was the ultimate role model and will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
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