Obituary of L. Earl Gray, Jr.

L. Earl Gray 

Leander Earl Gray Jr., age 87, of Cheshire entered into rest on Monday, August 6, 2018 at his home.  He was the devoted husband of Marilyn (Roberts) Gray for over 53 years.  Earl was born on December 23, 1930 in Oklahoma City, OK, son of the late Leander E. Gray Sr. and Dorothy (McNatt)(Gray) Cronk. 

Earl served his country with honor and pride with the US Navy, achieving the rank of EMCS, Senior Chief Electrician's Mate before his retirement; he later worked for the Tay-Mac Corporation for 22 years.  Earl previously served as Chairman of the Boards for both the Connecticut Eye Bank and the Fairview Odd-Fellows Home in Groton. He was a proud member of the Odd Fellows serving as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut; Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of CT; and Noble Grand of Nosahogen Lodge IOOF in Waterbury.

He is the beloved father of Christopher Gray. He is remembered by Chris and his wife, Stephanie, of Jamestown, RI.  Earl is also survived by his cherished grandsons, Gordon and Joshua Gray; and his sister, Doris Hinson of Norman, OK.  He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Gray and his sister, Carol Whitcomb.

Friends may greet Earl’s family at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 So. Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410 on Thursday, August 9, 2018 from 6PM until 8PM.  A graveside service with Full Military Honors will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018 at 10:30AM in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery, Wallingford Rd., Cheshire.  A memorial service will follow at 2PM on Friday at Nelson Hall at Elim Park, 150 Cook Hill Rd., Cheshire.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the Elim Park Resident Benevolence Fund, 140 Cook Hill Rd., Cheshire, CT 06410.  To leave condolences for his family online or to share a story of Earl, please visit www.fordfh.com