Patrick Sherman Gray

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we share the peaceful passing of our father, Patrick “Paddy” Sherman Gray of Williamswood, Nova Scotia on October 7, 2024. Born on April 14, 1952, to parents Lloyd Edward Gray and Muriel Grace Gray (Purcell), he was 72 years old.

Paddy was a true, Sambro son, born and raised. At an early age, he had a love for baseball and his favourite hockey team was the Toronto Maple Leafs. He served as a volunteer coach with some of our local hockey teams. His heart however belonged to his family and the sea. A fisherman all of his life, he was truly a fixture in the fishing community. For a period of time he owned and operated, as Captain, Harbour Light Boat Charters. Paddy simply loved the water and the government wharf in Sambro was known as his second home. If you couldn’t find him, that’s the first place you would look then to Mishoo’s store where you would find him enjoying a treat and some neighbourhood comradery.

Paddy gave of his time freely to his community and was a recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Community Spirit Award for Sambro. Established in 2007, the award is given to those in various communities throughout Nova Scotia who show an effort to preserve their community’s history, show their community spirit, and their dedication to making life better for their fellow citizens.

Paddy exemplified these traits and his legacy includes acting in the following roles; President and Harbour Master of the Harbour Authority of Sambro, President of the Eastern Nova Scotia 4X Community Management Board, President of the Silver Seas Social Club in the Sambro community, Vice-President of the Halifax West Commercial Fisherman's Association, Vice-President of the Atlantic Shark Association. He was a chair on the Eastern Nova Scotia 4VsW Management Board, a member of the board of the Scotia Fundy Groundfish Advisory Council, the Nova Scotia Swordfish Harpoon Association, the 4W Fixed Gear Herring Roe Fishery and the Eastern Fisherman’s Federation. He was also, Vice-Chair of the Brazil Rock Lobster Association and the Lobster Port Cluster Rep. He worked with the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO), studying sharks and seals on Sable Island and he spent countless hours volunteering his time to make positive changes and advocate for fisherman. Always a kind word and a friend to all. He loved his community, it was a passion.



Paddy was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Muriel Gray. He is survived by his loving children, Angie Murphy (Stevie) of Harrietsfield, son, Chad Gray (Melissa), of East Pennant, his children with Marjie Gray, who, although separated from, whom he shared many loving years of marriage. Also surviving him is his pride and joy and only grandchild, Brandon Murphy, his “fur grandchild” Ruby and his 5 siblings, Wanda DeBaie, of Little Harbour, Ellie Gray and Danny Gray (Patsy), both of Sambro, Gary Gray (Janet) of Halifax and Kevin Gray (Christine) of Herring Cove, as well as several nieces and nephews.



Visitation will be at JA Snow funeral home, 339 Lacewood Dr. in Halifax on Tuesday, October 15th, between 5 PM to 8 PM. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 16th at St. James United Church in Sambro at 2 PM, with reception to follow. Reverend Sean Hancock officiating. Following the service an immediate private family burial will take place.



We would like to say a special thank you to his long term care providers at Ocean View Continuing Care Centre in Eastern Passage, in particular; Kyla, Logan, Erin, and Michelle. We are forever grateful to you all. To his dear friend June Hudson, “the water melon lady” we could never thank you enough for your kindness and compassion.



In lieu of flowers donations may be made in dad’s memory to the Sambro United Church or the Sambro Imagination Library, an early childhood literacy  program which mails out free books each month to children five and under in the Sambro area. Thank you