SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOHN EARL GRAY

S2065

2026 -- S 2065
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOHN EARL GRAY

Introduced By:
Senators Murray, and Thompson

Date Introduced:
January 12, 2026

Referred To:
Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of John
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Early Gray of Woonsocket. He was the beloved husband of the late Bessie Gray; and
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WHEREAS, John Gray was born in Newberry, South Carolina, the son of the late
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Thomas and Mary Eva Gray. Mr. Gray was a United States Army veteran who served our nation
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with honor and distinction during the Korean War; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gray was a former employee of the Woonsocket School Department
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where he worked in the Maintenance Department and later as a painter for a combined total of
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fifteen years. Mr. Gray was also a former member of the St. James Baptist Church where he was
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ordained into the Deacons Ministry; and
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WHEREAS, On December 30, 1984, Mr. Gray had the high honor of being elected to
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serve as the President of the NAACP Branch of Woonsocket. He was re-elected to a second term
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in 1986, and during his term in office he made a positive difference in the lives of countless
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people in Woonsocket and across the State; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gray joined the Masonic Order in 1968, later becoming a Master
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Mason. In March of 1969, Mr. Gray was elevated to the 32nd Degree in Mount Sinai Consistory
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#12. In 1987, he joined the Order of the Eastern Star (PHA); and
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WHEREAS, John Gray is survived by his children, Eugene Dandy, Thomas Gray and his
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wife, Onelia, Christopher Gray and his wife, Carla, Pamela Williams and her husband, Lee,
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Allison Gray, Wendy Gray Burke, and her husband, Willie, and Vanessa Ward and her husband,
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Eddie. He also leaves his niece, whom he raised as a daughter, Dawn Mecca Dandy-Jones. Mr.

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Gray leaves behind his brother, Raymond Gray, and his wife, Carolyn, Ten grandchildren, Cara,
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Lania, Desmond, Nakya, Jordan, Raven, Kiara, Tyheem, Brooklyn, and Isaaih, and seven great-
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grandchildren, Zariah, Khari, Kalel, D’Mari, Pharoah, Aziel, and Zyiel. Mr. Gray was
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predeceased by his grandchildren, Tiffany and Markeith; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its
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condolences on the passing of John Earl Gray; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Gray Family.
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