Lee Howard Gray, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, resident of Stratford and longtime Stamford, Connecticut and Boothbay Harbor, Maine resident died peacefully on April 18, 2018 surrounded by family and friends.

He was born Aug. 24, 1932 in Greenwich, Connecticut to the late Leo H. Gray and Yvette Gray Epstein. After graduating from Greenwich High School, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Norfolk Naval Station during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he was a proud graduate of Iona College.

Following his graduation, Lee joined RKO Studios where he worked for over 33 years and rose to the level of vice president and general manager of sales. He was known as an extremely hard worker who began working at his family restaurant at age 5 and worked numerous jobs until his retirement in 1994.

He enjoyed spending time in Boothbay Harbor and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Lee loved the water—especially sailing—and was the commodore of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, as well as a member of the Halloween Yacht Club in Stamford.

Lee also enjoyed playing bridge, reading, traveling, being a eucharistic minister for St. Mark Church, and his many dogs he had throughout life. He was even featured in the New York Times for the bridge games he and his friends played for over 30 years while commuting to New York City for work. He enjoyed his years in Boothbay Harbor, where he was head of the Boothbay Harbor Planning Board. Above all, his greatest love was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his long time companion, “Lil.” Whether it was watching sporting events, performances, or just in their company, Lee always was seen there with a smile on his face. He made a positive impression with everyone he met and had a greeting and smile for each of them.

Lee was predeceased by his wives, Jane Abrams Gray, Patricia McKernan Gray, and Emily Joan Finn Gray, his daughter Maura Finn Malone and granddaughter Morgan Finn.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Lee (“Lil”) Howden, who he cared for deeply, as well as his children, Thomas Finn, Dorothy Gray (Roger) Crosby, Kevin (Diane) Gray, Christopher Finn (Cathy Yance), Scott (Amy) Gray, Elizabeth Finn (Steve Johnson), Laurie Gray (Neil Spindel), and Dr. Terence (Jennifer) Gray, along with 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitations were held at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home at 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, Connecticut on April 20. A mass of Christian burial was held at St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane in Stratford, Connecticut on April 21.

Donations can be made on Lee’s behalf to the Merton House, 43 Madison Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604