GEORGE R. CRAY
PALMYRA: George R. Cray 74 died unexpectedly Nov. 4, 2007 at a Pittsfield hospital following a period of ill health. He was born in Dexter Sept. 9, 1933 the son of Miles L. and Fern L. (Richardson) Cray. George was a graduate of Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield in the Class of 1952. On July 4, 1954 George Cray married Sylvia Petersen in Newport. They made their home on the family farm in Palmyra for 47 years until her death on Aug. 2, 2001.

George worked the family farm and sold his produce at a farm stand on Route #2 in Palmyra Village for almost 50 years. He looked forward to meeting people at the stand and made many lasting friendships over the years. He also drove school bus for MSAD# 48 for 39 years. He was a strong supporter of Nokomis Sports and one of his greatest joys was being able to drive the sports teams to their games and meets. While his sons were growing up George was a Little League coach and then a Babe Ruth Coach.

George and Sylvia always supported their sons and their grandchildren in whatever event that they took part in and you could always see them usually in the front row cheering for them.

George served the Town of Palmyra in many different ways; he was a selectman for several years, the town cemetery sexton for many years, the road commissioner and he served on many other town committees. George enjoyed the outdoors especially while hunting and fishing. He was a long time Red Sox fan.

He is survived by his two sons and their wives Michael and Donna Cray, Dean and Darlene Cray all of Palmyra, two brothers and their wives Robert and Marion Cray, Kenneth and Mary Jane Cray all of Palmyra, 5 grandchildren and their partners; Amanda and Wayne, Jennifer and Michael, Jacob and Danielle, Tonya and BJ, Deanne and Dale, six great grandchildren; Chase, Megan, Hailey, Michael, Natalie, and Ethan, several nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by a brother-in-law and his wife Roland and Alma Petersen of Newport.

Friends may call 3 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007 at the Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center 34 High St Newport. Funeral services will be conducted 11 AM Thursday Nov. 8, 2007 at the High Street Congregational Church 24 High St. Newport with Pastor Al Worden officiating. Burial will be in the Palmyra Village Cemetery.

Friends who wish may make donations to the Nokomis Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in memory of George and Sylvia Cray P.O. Box 100 Newport, Maine 04953.

Arrangement entrusted to the care of the Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center Newport.

To sign an online guest book and leave written tributes please visit: www.philipbrownfuneralhome.com