Donald R. Gray, 71, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the beloved husband of 33 wonderful years to Nancy Knapp Gray. Donald was born in New Haven on June 16, 1947 and was the son of the late George and Elizabeth Steineke Gray. He had worked as a police officer for the town of Hamden for 32 years retiring as a Captain in 2000. Don loved spending time with family, friends and his dogs Bailey and Champie. He spent many summers in New Hampshire on Pine River Pond at Loon’s Loft, his home away from home. He loved boating, being outdoors and was known for his sharp wit, infectious smile, his love of delivering candy to cancer patients and making the nurses smile. Don was also a member of the Hamden Elks Lodge # 2224. Father of Janna (Allen) Summerall-Smith, Katie (Ken) Roundtree and Bill (Tonya) Gray. Also survived by 5 grandchildren, many brothers and sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by a brother George Gray and a sister Elizabeth Reynolds.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Monday morning at 10:30. Funeral Services will be conducted in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3 Trumbull Place, North Haven at 11:00. Interment will follow All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Sunday from 3 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Nancy and family – we are so saddened to hear this news. Don was a good man and he will be missed. Although we are miles apart Our thoughts and prayers are right there with you.
Laura & Ed
Nancy I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. My deepest sympathy and prayers for you and your family.
Aunt Nancy, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Janna, Katie and Bill. Uncle Don was a great Uncle and I have so many great memories over the years. Although I will miss him I am glad he is not in any more pain. Please know I am here from a distance in Virginia to support you. I love you very much.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Don was such a wonderful person. His love for his wife shined every single day. Sending our love xo
My deepest condolences to all. Don was a great guy!! My dad (Lt Charles Atzbach) was always very fond of both Gray brother’s. May he rest in eternal peace.
My mom Joan Atzbach sends her condolences as well.
In sympathy,
Meg Atzbach Jenkins
Gilford NH
Words cannot adequately express my condolences enough to you and your family Nancy! May your many happy memories sustain you in this very difficult time. 🌹🙏🏽
Don’s death is a sad fact for all who knew, admired and loved him. He fought hard to stay for you Nancy. You and he have always been such a committed couple and invested in the Pine River Pond community – caring about us in sickness (flowers, phone calls when I was recovering from knee surgery) health, and in health (singing: Birthdays are special days … from the boat whenever someone had a birthday). You have a wide and supportive “lake” family to call upon. We are here for you and bless Don for the beautiful legacy he leaves. Peace now dear Don. The hard work is over.
Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this time.
I am so sorry Nancy and family. What a sad way to start the year. We will all miss Don and seeing you both ride down the lake. Many years of great memories. Love to you.
We will miss our dear friend and cherish all our memories of all our fun times together. Love you Nancy and we are here for you for whatever you may need.
Nancy and family, I’m so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all. I hope the memories you have can help you through your grief.
Nancy , my sincere condolences to you, my friend on the passing of your beloved Don. May you have comfort knowing that he is no longer suffering. He is an angle watching over you. God Bless!!
Shocked and so very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. May you find the strength you need to get through this difficult time. Sending my love and keeping you in my prayers. Xoxo.
It is with a heavy heart I say this final goodbye! This world lost a very good man, Loving, careing and generous man. Made all smile, made all laugh, made most a part of the family! Rest in peace old friend, you are one of the best persons to walk this Earth! I love you!!!!!!
The King is gone but he’s not forgotten.. The epitome of “work hard, play hard.” My deepest condolences to Nancy, his family and friends, and all of us who were lucky and blessed enough to serve under his command. Requiescat in pace.
Loved Don like a brother, a great guy, wonderful husband to Nancy, a great Dad, a top cop, and someone to emulated. He will be missed and prayers to him and the family.
Rest In Peace my Uncle Don. Will miss your generous heart and humorous wit. Forever in our hearts and minds.
We are so sad to hear about Don. He was such a nice thoughtful person. Pine River Pond won’t be the same without him cruising by in the Pontoon Boat. We loved his special birthday song that he always sang for everyone’s birthday. We’ll miss hanging with him. He was a kind soul that we will never forget.
We are so sorry for your loss Nancy. Thinking of you every day. xo
Nancy, I am so sorry to hear the passing of Don.. my heart just breaks. Though he is physically gone, his memories are forever and may you find peace in the knowledge that he loved you deeply and would have wished to stay with you longer. His beautiful memories are a blessing to you as you treasure every moment of your husband.. Love never dies. I share in your sorrow and pain during this time and my sincere condolences go out to you. Please take care of yourself and please reach out if you need anything my forever friend…
I am sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We had some great times working in patrol.
Jan and I are so sorry for the loss of a dear husband, father, and friend. I know that over the last years Don has had his share of suffering. May the lord hold him in his arms and may he rest in eternal peace. We will keep all of the Gray family in our prayers.
Nancy, Shocked by the news. Words hard to express our sorrow. Our future trips to PRP from Pennsylvania will never be the same. Always enjoyed a visit from the Grays. Don was my kind of guy. Full of fun, lots of laughs. taught me the words to the Bday song, and always had that catching smile. Will miss you. Thanks for the Memories.
A true gentleman in every sense.
It was my privilege and honor to work beside him for 13 years.
A good cop. A great supervisor. Simply a nice man who will be greatly missed.
R.I.P. Don
Nancy I was so sorry to learn about this. Don was one of the nicest men I have known. I hope your memories bring some comfort in the weeks and years to come.
Nancy, praying for you and your family at this difficult time. May you find comfort remembering all the wonderful years you spent together.
Nancy and Family! Jan and I want to express our sincere condolences on Don’s passing!! I can genuinely say that anybody that worked with him or for him had the utmost respect for him. He was the real deal… Jan and I had the privilege of introducing Don & Nancy and what a wonderful couple they made! Don and I shared time together going to Florida bringing our cars. Times I will cherish! On behalf of all of us who served on the squad known as Gray’s Island” we bid you farewell. RIP my friend!
Nancy, we are so very saddened with your loss and my good friend. He fought a hard battle. I will miss talking with him and reminiscing . So very sorry I won’t be able to be there for you. At this time unable to fly, our thoughts will be with you.! We will be seeing each other
soon…..
We are both so sorry to hear about your husband passing away. We send our condolences to you Nancy and your family.
Thank you brother for all the great memories you leave us with. PRP, the holidays and family will never be the same without you making us laugh and have fun. Nancy, we will always be there for you. We love you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Nancy, sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you.
Capt. Gray may you rest in peace with our lord Jesus Christ. I remember you were the first police officer to come and speak to our third grade class in Mt Carmel School 1968 thank you for your service.
Dearest Nancy, you and Don have been my angels ever since the day we met. There are no words that can describe how sad I feel now. I wish we had met sooner. Don was the most generous friend you could ask for. Heaven gained an angel who will have them all giggling up there. Don was one special person and we will all miss him sorely. God bless you, Nancy. All my love and all my prayers are with you always.
So very sorry for the loss of a great man, heaven gained an angel. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this hard time.
Nancy
Sincere sympathy and condolences
to you and your family.
Dear Nancy and family, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. RIP Donald.
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family nancy. We have many great memories of don from his contagious smile and laugh to his costumes for every holiday and handing out candy to all the smilow crew and we can’t forget his famous birthday song. He will be missed by all at smilow. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead xoxoxo
Patty Andrade PCA smilow
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family nancy. We have many great memories of don from his contagious smile and laugh to his costumes for every holiday and handing out candy to all the smilow crew and we can’t forget his famous birthday song. He will be missed by all at smilow. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead xoxoxo
Patty Andrade PCA smilow
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family nancy. We have many great memories of don from his contagious smile and laugh to his costumes for every holiday and handing out candy to all the smilow crew and we can’t forget his famous birthday song. He will be missed by all at smilow. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead xoxoxo
Patty Andrade PCA smilow