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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE WALTER J.

GRAY

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Ruggerio, Zurier, Ciccone, Thompson, Quezada,
Patalano, Felag, Urso, and Murray

     Date Introduced: January 14, 2025

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Walter J.

Gray, the beloved husband of Mary Gray for seventy years, and the father of Walt Gray and his

wife, Monica, and Tim Gray and his wife, Sheila. He was also the very proud grandfather of

eight grandchildren, Ryan and Matthew Gray, Abby, Kelly and Joseph Gray, Shannon and Kyle

Brassil, and Nora Gray; and

     WHEREAS, Born in the City of Woonsocket, Mr. Gray was a son of the late John and

Alice Gray. He was a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy and served our nation with

honor in the United States Army. Upon returning from service, he earned his Bachelor’s degree

from Boston University in 1951; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Gray took a position as the assistant purser for Grace Line, Inc. before

joining the staff of the Providence Journal as a state staff reporter in 1952. In 1955, he and his

wife founded the East Providence Post weekly newspaper; and

     WHEREAS, Well-respected for his journalistic talents, Mr. Gray was named press

secretary to Governor Christopher Del Sesto in 1959, and was appointed assistant professor of

communications at URI’s College of Agriculture in 1960. He subsequently took a position as a

public relations officer and later became Assistant to the President before taking a leave of

absence to become a foreign service officer assigned to New Delhi, India; and

     WHEREAS, In 1968, Mr. Gray returned to the University of Rhode Island as the Director

of the Division of Marine Resources at the Graduate School of Oceanography. For his service to

URI, he received the URI President's Award for Administrative Excellence in 1978; and

     WHEREAS, Always an active and contributing member of the community, Mr. Gray

served in numerous philanthropic, and State and community positions including President of the

Kingston Potter Trust of the R.I. Foundation, President of Christ the King Church Parish Council,

a member of the State of R.I. Trade Mission to Japan, a member of the Governor’s Council on

Tourism, an adjunct professor at Bryant University, former President of the Board of Directors of

the Courthouse Center for the Arts, and past President of the Narragansett Chamber of

Commerce; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Walter Gray also served the people of Rhode Island in a

panoply of elected positions including as a member and past President of the South Kingstown

Town Council, and as a Rhode Island State Senator for two terms; and

     WHEREAS, Walter Gray was a steadfast gentleman who left this world a far better place

because of his life’s endeavors. He enriched the lives of all who knew him and he is dearly

missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends deepest

condolences on the passing of the Honorable Walter J. Gray; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Mary Gray and Family.

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