Francis Calley Gray, Jr., of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, died of cancer on 28 September 2005 at his home in Birchfield Farms at the age of 81. Born in Boston on 25 January 1924, he was the second son of Helen Rotch Bullard, of New Bedford, and Francis Calley Gray of Boston. He attended Dexter School in Brookline, St. Mark’s School in Southborough, and Harvard College (B.S. ’46) in Cambridge Massachusetts.
Mr. Gray served in the U. S. Navy, primarily in the Pacific, from February 1945 until May 1946, discharged as a Lieutenant, J.G. After brief period at Raytheon Corporation, he followed his first love, sailing and sailboats, and began a forty-year career as one of the most well-respected hardware manufacturer’s representatives in the emerging fiberglass sail and power boat production industry in New England. Heir to a legacy of whaling and maritime trade on both sides of his family, and a competitive sailor himself, he maintained a lifelong interest in the history of sail. He wrote a monthly column for Yachting magazine for many years and was closely involved with the New Bedford Yacht Club. He was a participant in the Intrepid and Courageous syndicates that successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1970 and 1974.
Beginning in the early 1970’s Mr. Gray’s interest in the early history of New Bedford drew him to become a Trustee of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society and an early supporter of Waterfront Area Historic League. He was a driving force in the acquisition and restoration of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum on County Street. Beginning in 1982 he served as a Trustee, and later as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. He worked tirelessly on the Museum’s behalf, eliciting support from his own family and other descendants of William Rotch, Jr., and the community of Greater New Bedford.
On 1 April 1950 Mr. Gray married Elizabeth Craighead Thompson, of New York and they lived in Dedham, Massachusetts. They were divorced in 1972. Mr. Gray is survived by his two children, Elizabeth T. Gray, married to Alfred “Chip” Loomis, of New York City, and Francis C. Gray, III, married to Gay Gray, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and five grandchildren, and by his two brothers, Morris Gray of Westwood and John B. Gray of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Burial services at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will be private. A reception and celebration of his life will be held at 4:00p.m. on Saturday, October 29th, at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum in New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, he would have much preferred a donation to the Rotch-Jones-Duff House, 396 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740