Donald Blair Gray

Donald Blair Gray, 81, of Newbury, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2021, at Hillcrest Hospital surrounded by family. He was born in Big Run, PA, on September 29, 1939, to Marie (Bathurst) and Fred Gray, Mantua, OH. He graduated from Crestwood High School, Mantua, in 1958 and trained for auto collision repair at General Motors in Brookpark.

Upon high school graduation, Don began his career in auto collision repair at Harvey Chevrolet in Chagrin Falls, OH. In November of 1959, he joined his former neighbor, Ken Boehnlein, as bodyman at Ken's newly opened auto repair facility, Edgewood Auto Body, in Russell Twp., repairing the very first vehicle at the new shop. In 1975, upon Ken's retirement, he was given the opportunity to purchase Edgewood and continued as bodyman and owner until his hospitalization on July 17, 2021. Throughout the many years, he employed a number of young men, teaching them the trade. This included two who remained on staff from high school graduation to retirement. Don was also always willing to give advice to others as to how to repair or restore their own car. Over the years, he built several cruisin' cars, but his pride and joy was his robin's egg blue 1949 Ford, which he built in 2006 as a replica of the first car he owned in 1956 at age 17.

Don made an impact on all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Jane (Waller) Gray; daughter, Mollie (Craig) Nye of Columbus, OH; and brother, Terry (Kathy) Gray of Mantua, OH. Per Don's wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gattozziandson.com for the Gray family.