Robert A. "Bob" Gray, Sr.
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Robert (Bob) A. Gray, Sr. (93) passed away at home with his wife, Hilda and his children, by his side on Tuesday morning January 5, 2021 of natural causes. The following is in Bob's own words: He was born in Graniteville, VT November 29, 1927. He moved to Tunbridge, VT in the early 1930s and went to grade school (one-room) in North Tunbridge for a couple of years. Then finished 8th grade in a one-room school house called number 4. Bob was the only person in the 8th grade and had to go to the Tunbridge Market school to graduate and then started high school in Chelsea.
Bob did odd jobs, farmed, logged, etc. until the age of eighteen when he enlisted in the Army Air Force for three years during World War II. His basic training was in Mississippi and then he went to radio school in St. Louis, MO for eight weeks to become a Control Tower Operator. He was stationed in Manchester, NH for the duration of his enlistment and reached the rank of Sargent. Bob married Hilda Jones of South Royalton, VT September, 21, 1947 while still in the Air Force and was discharged October of 1948.
His wife of 73 years, Hilda C. Jones, was born in Colchester, VT August 22, 1927 the daughter of Nathan and Eva Jones. She went to school in Morrisville, So. Lincoln, Middlebury, and Gaysville. Hilda lived in logging camps in Gaysville while her mother was employed as a cook. She moved to South Royalton in 1940 and went to High School in South Royalton. Later she lived with her brother Raymond in Glen Falls for a couple years and worked in a coffee shop. Hilda came back to South Royalton and worked in a flower shop and Dewey's Woolen Mill. She went to Concord NH and stayed with her sister, Natalie and worked in a candy store. After returning to South Royalton, Hilda married Bob in September of 1947. She worked for a while at Van Raalte. Bobby Jr. was born in 1948 at the Randolph Hospital and Deborah was born in 1950 in Barre.
He moved his young family to a farm in Tunbridge where they stayed for several years. He left the farm and went to work for Everett Jones repairing penn-stock in Connecticut; then they moved to Berlin, NH for a short time doing the same kind of work. He moved his family back to South Royalton into the little red house. Bob worked at Dewey's Woolen Mill and Hilda worked at Van Raalte in Randolph. Timothy was born in 1956. Hilda started working at the Heel factory in Wilder VT in 1957, as a sander. Bob worked as a turner and then as set-up-man, boss, and supervisor. They worked there for 29 years. When the Heel factor closed, both Bob and Hilda went to work at Split Ball Bearing for three years. Hilda cleaned the bearings and Bob ground them. They both retired from Split Ball at the age of 62.
Bob and Hilda bought a house in the village of South Royalton in 1961. Judy was born in 1962. They traveled to Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida and flew to Florida once. While in Florida they drove to the Keys. They also drove to the state of Washington for their niece, Tuddie's daughter's wedding. They saw Mount Rush More, Custer's battle field and many other places.
After retiring Bob did odd jobs like remodeling bathrooms, the kitchen, etc. Both Bob and Hilda restored three old Royalton cemeteries by mowing and straightening stones. He compiled a list of names including veterans and people who are buried in the town cemeteries. Both loved to pick strawberries and blueberries and loved working in their garden. He and Hilda loved canning all the fresh veggies. Hilda also loved crocheting beautiful dollies. They both enjoyed touring Vermont's secondary and back roads.
In 1995 Bob started working as a groundskeeper at the Tunbridge Fair grounds where he did mowing, repaired buildings, and set-up for events. After retiring from the Tunbridge Fair grounds Bob lived the remainder of his life helping to care for his great grandchildren, supported his children and grandchildren, and cared for the home he loved in South Royalton. He will be dearly missed.
Bob is survived by his wife of 73 years, Hilda Gray, two sons, Robert A. Gray Jr. and Timothy Gray, and two daughters, Deborah Clark and Judy Uttero, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Bob is also survived by his brother, John Gray, and three sisters, Maxine Aldrich, Madeline Green, and Floria Quillia. He is predeceased by his parents, Alexandra and Lucille Gray, three brothers, Roger Gray, Everett Gray, Melvin Gray, and three sisters, Betty Morse, Shirley Riley, and Sally Howe.
Donations in Bob's name can be made to the South Royalton Rescue Squad at PO Box 203, South Royalton, VT 05068.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com. The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea, VT is in charge of arrangements.