RANALD GRAY

April 26, 1931 – March 28, 2021

With deep sadness, the family wish to announce the passing of Ranald Gray. He is survived by his 2nd wife Ally, children by his first marriage Mary Lynn, Norma Jean, Danny and grandchildren Kevin, David, Angela and Eric, great-grandchildren Katie, Natalia, Kai, Kendra and Noah, and great-great-granddaughter Adeline. Born in Vancouver, BC, he lived with his parents in what was known as the Beaver Dam area of Strawberry Hill in North Delta, BC. They moved to Vancouver to provide a better education for Ran and was given the nickname of “The Strawberry Hillbilly” while attending the Model School on Twelfth and Cambie. Even as a young lad he had a fascination for machinery, and after working many jobs he earned his steam engineering certification in 1953 at the Vancouver Technical School.

Ran loved boats and spent 8 years building a self-designed 50 foot cruiser naming it “The Air Castle” which he and his family called home for 15 years. In 1987, now divorced and the children gone their own ways, he was offered the chance to purchase a forty acre piece of property on Pitt Lake where he built a small marina, and finally a large house and party area for family and friends. His new nickname was now “King of the Cove” (Christian Cove). He and wife Ally continued to cruise on the Air Castle creating many new exciting memories. He and Ally lived at the Pitt Lake resort until 2002 when they purchased an apartment in Maple Ridge while still visiting back and forth to the lake property. He eventually sold the resort at Pitt Lake, followed by his beloved Air Castle. His best memories were camping and boating trips with his family and friends, but most of all, his piece of Paradise at Pitt Lake.

He will be remembered by all those who loved or knew the hardworking, strong willed, sometimes stubborn, and friendly man that he was. As per his wishes, no service will be held. We wish to thank all the staff at the George Derby Care Centre in Burnaby for their excellent and attentive care of him during the last 4 years.