Dr. George Robert Gray
September 19th, 2020
With heavy hearts we announce that Dr. George Robert Gray passed away peacefully on September 19, 2020 at the age of 83.
He leaves behind his loving wife Darlene and their daughters Justina (Ryan) and Kristina (Dan) and daughters Gail, Deanna (Richard), Beth (Dominic) and sons Robert (Nancy), Mike (Christa) and John (Pam), grandchildren, Brent, Sean, Michael, Nicky, Manny, Dillon, Lexi, Patrick, Liam, Isabelle, Gabe, Cody and great grandchildren Luna and Scarlet. He was extremely proud of his awesome family.
His love of animals began at an early age when travelling with his father, a Veterinarian to five farms owned by a family friend who also owned large tracts of land in Newton, New Jersey where George was born and raised. This land was rich with wildlife, springs, creeks and woods and where George spent much of his time deepening his love of animals and nature.
His education was enhanced greatly with sports and his exceptional skills in wrestling where he won many awards including one year as State champion. His skills in wrestling won him scholarships to Penn State University and to Guelph, Ontario, where he pursued Veterinary Medicine.
Eventually he came to Chilliwack, B.C. where he met and married Darlene and together they started a Veterinary Practice. Over the years they developed many close relationships with their wonderful clients and patients.
They purchased George’s dream property, rich in wildlife, creeks, a river, a spring water pond and surrounding woods from the Wells family. Originally homesteaded by Charles Thurston the property grew into a logging town named Bowdenville. The town had a school, a main house, barns to store hay and house animals and many smaller cabins each built from the cedar trees on the land.
George and Darlene built a beautiful log home again solely using trees from on the property. Sitting on the top veranda and seeing the view of the snow-capped Border Peaks was always very special.
George spent many loving hours falling trees, cutting planks and making cedar shakes to restore Bowdenville. The water falls provided power and the underground streams fresh drinking water. Mowing the lawns became a job for all the family when old enough to manage the mowers. George retired from Veterinary Practice due to health reasons. And recently sold ‘The Ranch’, again for health reasons.
His final year was spent in the Sto:lo Elders Lodge. Our deepest thanks go to the staff and residents who became like family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honoured for any donations to the “Wild Salmon Defense Alliance” in George’s name. www.wsda.ca or mailing address:
#213-46693 Yale Road, Chilliwack B.C. V2P 7Z4
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
I would like to express Deepest Condolences to Darlene and families form myself and 3 generations of our family. George's passing will leave a huge void in your hearts and the extended community family developed through the warm welcoming clinic visits. I have to admit that I will always carry Georges dry sense of humor and memories in my heart. May he rest in peace now and his memories be a blessing.
So sorry to hear this sad news. I enjoyed Dr. Gray and Darlene's vet business. We were sad when he retired. I remember taking my calico cat Haley into the vet and when Dr.Gray seen her he said " what do we have here? A multi colored bowling ball" It was so funny. I was so glad to have met Dr. Gray and Darlene and was a pleasure to know them. My mom and I appreciate the care they both gave our pets over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
I was deeply saddened to read of the passing of Dr. George in Thursday's Chilliwack Progress. His presence on the Sto:lo Walking Trail has been, and will be, greatly missed. Please accept my deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Many happy memories of our long association with George and Darlene at their clinic. They always made us feel more like friends than clients. Condolences to Darlene and Family.
Darlene-we were very saddened to read George’s obit in the local paper- We have many good memories of times together, especially visits with both of you up at the ranch- We send our sympathy to you and your family- Barb and Darragh
I could write a book about my association with George & Nu, Among many memories were George dropping off wild animal and strays that had been hurt, and left at the clinic on Yale Road, for me to care for as they healed. I used to haul George's cattle in my '78 Chevy half ton up or down the mountain to and from the ranch from the auction barn where I worked, always to have a icey (spring cooled) Heineken with him. he would drop off a winters supply of firewood to me each fall. George gave me the greatest dog I ever owned, a big black Lab named Bowden (after his "town" Bowdenville) full name Dr Slessie Bowden). RIP my friend. Mike Boardman
I was saddened to read Dr. Gray's obituary in the Progress this morning. My sincerest sympathy to Darlene, Justina and Kristina--the part of the family I knew. I remember Dr. Gray's gruff kindness when I was crying my eyes out as he put my dachshund down. I appreciated it then and I appreciate it now.
Sharing in your sadness as you remember George. It was always an adventure driving up to "the ranch" as we referred to the property where George and Nunu (Darlene) shared their love of nature with us. I have fond memories of the children cooling off in the river and floating downstream to where the adults scooped them up. George kept the property looking immaculate. It was obvious that he truly appreciated life at the ranch.
Darlene So sorry to learn of George going "beyond the beyonds with Hi-Ho the fiddler" (Irish saying). Both of you took such good care of our cats and the late beloved Rhy Lee, our Chocolate Lab. George will be remembered by many. I went to Penn State University a few years after George. Sorry I did not find out about his passing until today. Brian H. Coulter