Brian passed away peacefully at home in South Surrey on October 18th, 2009 after a sudden diagnosis and courageous, inspirational journey with cancer. He died the way he lived – with the same gentle grace, candor, quick wit and sense of humour he has possessed for 57 years.
Predeceased by his father David in 2003 and mother Freda in 2007, he will be deeply missed and forever loved by his wife, Lynn (Morfitt) Gray, 5 children and stepchildren; Arlo (Emily), Pascal (Natalie), Saskia (Shaun), Brendon (Venessa), and Whitney; and grand daughter Isabel. Also survived by brother Stephen (Joyce) and numerous caring Aunts, Uncle, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, as well as many dear friends and colleagues.
Born January 23, 1952 in Vancouver, Brian attended Shaughnessy Elementary School, moved to Toronto in 1964, and then to Winnipeg in 1967 where he attended and graduated from Kelvin High School in 1970, participating in drama, public speaking and debating. Earning his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Manitoba included a few extended trips to Europe, a marriage and the birth of his first son Arlo in 1978. After acquiring his teaching credentials at the U of M, he moved his young family west, eventually settling in Revelstoke , BC in 1980 where his son, Pascal and daughter, Saskia were born. Brian taught there for 22 years and raised his children in the town where he loved hiking and skiing in the forests and mountains, and canoeing the rivers.
Earning his Masters of Education degree from the University of Victoria in 2002, he became a school counselor, first in Barriere, BC, then in Langley and finally in Surrey. He completed his 40 year pursuit of “West Coast Dreaming” having left the lower mainland in 1964, to return to White Rock in 2004, where he met and married Lynn – a love story interrupted.
The “Voice of Wisdom” on many committees, he was active in the Revelstoke Teacher’s Assoc. (Health & Safety), volunteered for 12 years at F.A.Y.R. - Family & Youth Resources Group in Revelstoke, including a long stint as Chairman, and more recently, was Past President of the Langley Counselor’s Assoc., a member of the Lower Mainland Yacht Co-op Executive, the Semiahmoo Rotary Club and a committed organizer of numerous events at Elgin Secondary School.
A gifted listener, a gentle man and a gentleman, and for 30 years - an incredible teacher and school counselor, Brian will be remembered with love and respect for all that he gave through his dedication to family and community.
The family would like to thank Dr. Gerry Roberts, oncologist Dr.Ed Kostashuk, Dr. Charles King, Dr. Amy Mabie, and the Palliative Home Care Team for the skillful and humane care Brian received. We would also like to thank the many friends and family who have offered loving support over the past few months.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held for Brian at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 7th at Victory Memorial Park Chapel 14831 28th Avenue, South Surrey BC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be forwarded to “Elgin Park Secondary School”, for the Brian Gray Memorial Scholarship Fund at 13484 24th Ave., Surrey, BC V4A 2G5 , to enable students to benefit in Brian’s absence.