September 19, 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 on the family's on line obituary at: www.myalternatives.ca
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services