Ron Gray

Peacefully and surrounded by his family, Wallace Ronald (Ron) Gray, passed on September 2, 2012, leaving all the difficulties of failing health behind. Ron is survived by his wife Gloria, children Perry (Wendy) and Linda (Steve), grandchildren David and Lisa, sister Joan (Neil) and brothers Ed (Nancy), Stan (Wanda) and special friends Bev and Peter. Ron will be remembered and loved by his family, nephews and niece, many friends and by his brethren at the Winnipeg Fire Department. Ron is pre-deceased by his parents Wally and Eva Grabowski, his brother-in-law Russell Paulley Sr. and his nephew Russell Paulley Jr.

Ron was born on April 27, 1936. He stayed in Winnipeg throughout his life, and enjoyed the summers of his childhood at Winnipeg Beach with his family. In 1957, Ron married Flore Vermette and joined the Winnipeg Fire Department in 1959. Ron spent his time with his family and perusing his hobbies and interests, such as playing clarinet with the Fire Fighters Band and serving as band president, developing his carpentry skills, cross-country skiing in Birds Hill Park and working out at the YMHA. In 1977, Ron married Gloria Forrest. Together they enjoyed many great vacations travelling the world, cruising and driving through Canada and the United States in the big brown van. In summer, Ron and Gloria spent much of their time at Spruce Sands Trailer Park on Lake Winnipeg, always making room for family and friends around the campfire or in the gazebo. Ron retired from the fire department in 1996, achieving the rank of district chief and the respect of all who worked with him. He continued to serve the community in retirement, volunteering at fires and during floods in the Salvation Army “wiener wagon”.

Throughout his life, family was always Ron’s top priority. He took his roles of son, brother, husband, father and grandfather very seriously. Ron always made sure that the people in his life knew that they were loved and that they could count on him whenever the need would arise. Ron will be missed, but he will also live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to be loved by him.

The family would like to thank all the staff of the MICU HSC General Centre, Winnipeg for their care and compassion during his stay in February and his most recent admission. In particular, the family thanks Dr. Eric Jacobsohn, Dr. Zoheir Bshouty, Dr. Adrian Robertson, Dr. Bojan Paunovic, Dr. Faisal Siddiqui, Dr. Clare Ramsey, Dr. Kim Wiebe and Ms. Deb Enns as individuals who touched Ron and his family deeply.

Service of Remembrance will be held on Friday, September 7, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to McDermott House Canada, 6-14845 Yonge Street, Suite 450, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 6H8, an organization honoring firefighters, police officers and service personnel from our armed forces or The Firefighter’s Burn Fund, 303-83 Garry Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4J9.

THOMSON FUNERAL HOME

669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4

783-7211

Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com