Obituary of Melvin Joseph Gray

Age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the VG site, QEII in Halifax. He was born in West Pennant where he resided until his passing.  He was the son of the late Joseph & Lillian Gray.   Melvin passed away 75 years (to the day) that his father passed away.  Melvin was a fisherman for most of his life and passed down his love for fishing to his son Andrew and grandson Brandon.  He went lobster fishing right up until December 2015.  Melvin's hobbies included rabbit hunting, golfing and walking at Crystal Crescent Beach.  Melvin was the last surviving crew member of the sword fishing vessel - Angela B. Mills, which he and six other crewmembers were lost at sea off of the Grand Banks of NL in 1956 (during hurricane Betsy) and survived seven days in the North Atlantic after rowing 300 miles in dories before being rescued.   He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia (Snair).  He was a loving father to his sons, Andrew (Nicole) of West Pennant & Glenn (Trina) of East Pennant and grandchildren; Kelsie, Brandon, Emma, Ashley and Cody; great-grandchildren, Kaiden and Ella.  He is also survived by his sisters, Shirley Miller, Margaret (Don) McGrath, Claude (Linda) Gray and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Madeline (Brenton) Gray and brother-in-law, Harold Miller. A heartfelt thanks to the nurses at the Halifax Infirmary (7.4) and VG/Palliative Care (7A).   Also, we would like to thank J. Albert Walker Funeral Home in Spryfield for helping us through this very difficult time.  Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday May 5th at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ketch Harbour at 1:00pm.  Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.  Reception will be held following the burial, at St. Paul's Parish hall in Herring Cove. Family Flowers only; donations in Melvin’s memory can be made to the Heart & Stroke and/or Diabetes foundations.