Rev. Edward Joseph Gray, C.Ss.R., of the Saint Alphonsus Villa community, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died on November 27, 2022, age 90 and three months.
Born in Boston on August 16, 1932 to Edward and Ann (McKenna), he was baptized at St. Francis de Sales, Boston on September 4, 1932 and confirmed at the Redemptorists' Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Church on April 15, 1945. He enrolled at St. Mary's Minor Seminary in North East, PA from 1946 to 1952 and matriculated to St. Mary's College, Ilchester, Maryland, where he professed temporary vows on August 2, 1953.
His final vows were made at Mt. St. Alphonsus Seminary, Esopus, NY on September 2, 1956, where he was also ordained to the priesthood on June 22, 1958. He made the tirocinium at St. Mary's, Annapolis, MD from 1959 to 1960.
Nearly all of Father Gray's priestly assignments were in the former Vice-Province of Richmond, except the first two. He was assigned to St. Clement's parish in Saratoga Springs, NY from 1960 to 1961 and then to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bradford, VT from 1961 to 1963. Subsequently, he was transferred to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tampa from 1963 to 1967, then OLPH, Miami, FL, from 1967 to 1969.
Later he was at Holy Trinity, Orangeburg where he was the rector from 1969 to 1975; Holy Rosary, Jacksonville, FL where he was rector and Vice-Provincial Consultor from 1975 to 1981.
His assignments following were: Sacred Heart, Griffin, Georgia from 1981-1987; St. John’s in Waynesville, NC from 1987-1992; St. Francis in Hilton Head, SC, where he was an Associate for six months in 1992 and 1993. Later he was at St. Joseph’s in Hampton, VA, from 1993 to 1996; he was Vice Provincial of Richmond from 1996 to 2002; St. James in Concord, NC, from 2002-2009. He spent 2008 to 2019 at Sacred Heart in New Smyrna Beach, GL, before entering St. Alphonsus Villa in New Smyrna Beach, FL in 2019.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Monday, December 12, 6 p.m., Reception of Body at Sacred Heart Church followed by viewing. Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday December 13, 10:30 a.m., Funeral mass followed by burial at Edgewater Cemetery.
Eternal rest grant unto EDDIE, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May EDDIE’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed thru the mercy of God Rest in Peace. Amen.