Obituary
Ron Gray; husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and community volunteer passed away suddenly at his home this week in Neepawa, Manitoba.
Ron lived an honest and honourable life supporting his family and serving the greater good of his community: 32 years on the Neepawa Volunteer Fire Department; making lunch and driving seniors to worship at St. James Anglican Church and his chairing the board for the Elks Lodge and their seniors residence.
In the many tributes received since his passing, Ron has been described as being approachable and having an easygoing going way. Friends also spoke of Ron having an impactful smile and said that he always spoke with honesty and candour.
Ron met the love of his life, Joan at a dance in Portage. Joan remembers Ron being tall and handsome and while he was not a good dancer when they met, she said he soon learned to jive and they enjoyed dancing together ever after.
Ron was humble and possessed a quiet strength. He never uttered a word of complaint. He never asked for help but offered it freely to all. He was immensely proud of his wife Joan, his son Bryan (and Dana), his grandson William (and Jourdan), and his grand daughters Taylor (and Ryan) and Hannah and his great-grandson Asher. He happily devoted weekends and holidays to spending time with them and supporting all their endeavours.
An avid outdoorsmen Ron was a skilled hunter and fisher and enjoyed many a day on the water or in the bush with his dear friends. After years of teaching his son and grandchildren to enjoy and respect nature, Ron turned his camper southward to winter in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where he gained a whole new community of friends.
Ron was born and raised by his parents Wally and Ethel on their farm west of Portage la Prairie. He moved to town at a young age to work and provide for himself. Ron worked with MTS and then joined the ICG gas utility moving with his wife Joan to manage the Neepawa area in 1965. Ron’s hard work and dedication to his company and quality service to clients was rewarded by his promotion to his being the district manager for a vast area of Manitoba.
No stranger to hard work his whole life, Ron’s greatest and final task was his tireless and constant devotion to his wife of nearly 55 years, Joan, as he cared for her at her side day and night while she was ill. His committed and selfless love will stand as as a wonderful example and inspiration for generations of his family to come.
A memorial service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the United Church, 475 Mountain Ave, in Neepawa, MB.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Manitoba Cancer Care 675 McDermot Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 as both Ron’s wife and granddaughter are cancer survivors.
To send flowers to Ronald’s family, please visit our floral section.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald Johnston Gray 2020..
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Death notice for the town of: Portage-la-Prairie, Province: Manitoba