Donald Gray

On Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the age of 87, Donald Elliott Gray, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend went peacefully to meet the Lord with family by his side.

Donald Gray of Esterhazy, Saskatchewan was born in Ottawa, Ontario on April 1, 1932. He had a younger brother named David. He grew up helping his mom while his father was away fighting in WW2. In 1950, he joined the army as a paratrooper where he learned about map drafting. He became a father at the young age of 20 having 6 sons and 2 daughters as well as a stepson and stepdaughter. He enjoyed coaching hockey and baseball. Later, he found a passion for geology which led him to production mining in both hard rock and potash. He finished his career in Esterhazy with the Mosaic Potash Company giving over 20 years of service. In the early years of retirement, Donald and his wife Arleen, enjoyed  traveling south for the winter to various warm locations. In recent years, their focus was on family, especially spending time with their many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Donald was an amazing man who was loyal, passionate and faith minded. He cared deeply for his family and friends.  He had a strong faith and  devotion to his Lord. He leaves behind a long legacy of love and faith.

Donald was predeceased by his parents Norah  Kathleen Gray (nee Elliott) and Trennick Alexander Gray, his brother David Alexander Gray, his father-in-law Ludwig Brenner, his mother-in-law Annie Matilda Brenner (nee Bessel), and by his sons Donald James Gray (Jimmy), David Trennick Elliott Gray, and Douglas George William Gray.

He is survived by his wife Arleen Annie Gray (nee Brenner), his sons John Currey Gray, Robert Bruce Gray (Lorraine), Jason Dean Gray (Lorraine), his daughters Norah Jane Ervin (Dwayne), and Susan Jean Paton (Iain), his daughters-in-law Donna May Gray, and Christina Jayne Gray, his stepchildren  Shannon Lloyd Reitenbach (Kim) and Cynthia Rose Reitenbach. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a myriad of friends and relatives. He will be  deeply and forever missed by all.

A special thank you to Dr. Nel and all of the amazing nurses at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Esterhazy for all of the attentive care they gave to him every day, and to all of his family and friends for the daily visits and prayers.