Milton G. “Papa” Gray

AUBURN -– Milton G. “Papa” Gray, 73, of N. Jay, died on April 22, 2011 at the Hospice House surrounded by family.

He was born, May 2, 1937, in Addison, the son of Clarence B. and Rose (Dorr) Gray.

In 1962 he married Hazel Ashe. They began their family in N. Chelmsford, MA, where he was employed in the printing business.

He moved his family to N. Jay in 1977 where he began his own fire wood business. He ran the business successfully for 23 years.

Milton was known as a hard-working man with a great sense of humor. He was an avid sports fan; always maintaining his loyalty to the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Ellen Knox of Killeen, TX; son, Mark Gray of N. Jay; daughter, Linda Gray of N.Jay; grandchildren, Crystal Fitch, Amy Cilley and her husband, Ben, Joshua Gray, Tyler Gray, Jennifer Gray and Audrianna Knox; two sisters, Barbara Dalot of Dryden, and Mary Hill of Machias; a brother, Caswell Gray of Livermore; sister-in-law and good friend, Joan Gray of Jay; three great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Hazel on March 3, 2011; his parents; a daughter, Karen Gray; four brothers, Gordon Dorr, Reginald Gray, Philip Gray and Alton Gray; and two sisters, Leona Gardner and Marie Chandler.

Public memorial graveside services for both Milton and his wife, Hazel, who died on March 3, 2011, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11 at Birchland Cemetery, Rte. 17, North Jay. Remembrance gifts may be given to either the Sandy River Center for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Rte. 133, Farmington, ME 04938 or to the Hospice House 236 Stetson Rd. Auburn, ME 04210.

Milton G. “Papa” Gray Photo:

Milton G. “Papa” Gray