Obituary of Christopher M. Gray

Gray, Christopher M. age 55 of Bangor, ME and Horseheads, NY passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center. Chris is survived by his sons, Matthew Gray and Zane (Sara) Gray both of Bangor, ME; parents, Rod and Mary Jean Gray of Horseheads, NY; siblings, Victoria Gray of Victoria, TX, Lisa (Joe) Navone of Manilus, NY, and Jonathan (Bridget) Gray of Jacksonville, FL; uncles and aunts, Arthur and Bev Morrell and Jeffrey and Mary Ann Gray all of Horseheads, NY; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Christopher was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Edmund and Aletha Morrell; and paternal grandparents, J. Gordon and Kathleen Gray; and nephew, Connor O’Neil Gray. Chris was born on November 2, 1959, in Elmira, NY. He attended schools in Horseheads and Elmira Heights where he was outstanding in sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball. In 1978, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy where he studied fuel aviation and became a shipboard firefighter. He also served two West Pac tours in the Indian Ocean aboard the U. S. S. Constellation as flight deck fuels crew leader and fuels coordinator. In 2011, he obtained the state of Maine Electrician Helper’s license from Eastern Maine Community College. Chris was a highly talented and knowledgeable machine repair and maintenance technician with an enthusiastic and hardworking vocational ethic leading to a successful 25 year career at N. H. Bragg in Bangor, ME. Christopher was devoted to his family, friends, occupation, and beloved canine companion, Buddy. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Aung and the personnel of the Bath V. A. Hospital and the Arnot Ogden Medical Center. Family and friends are invited to call at the Barber Funeral Home, Inc., 413 S. Main St., Horseheads on Monday, March 23, 2015, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 1:00 pm with inurnment to follow at 2:00 pm in Woodlawn National Cemetery, 1825 Davis Street, Elmira, where full military honors will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, donations in Christopher’s name may be made to a local animal shelter or to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences and remembrances at www.barberfuneralhome.com