This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of John Gray. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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Mary Young

Jack Gray was the first person to explain Haiku (a form of short Japanese verse) to me, which I might use except it takes more than three lines to describe such a wonderful man! To all his family, I send my sincere condolences. For thirty-six years, I worked initially on staff in The Writer Department of ACTRA and subsequently for The Writers Guild of Canada. I was hired by Margaret Collier, the original Executive Director, who, if it were not for her illness, would undoubtedly have written a warm appreciation of Jack, as they worked together for over twenty years. I feel very privileged to have known Jack and will remember him as the consummate gentleman: kind, gracious, courteous, friendly - always interested in what you had to say and happy to advise on any matter. He had that lovely lazy way of speaking which belied his sharp intellect and was possessed of a delightful, quiet sense of humour.- I can see his eyes sparkling now! - Fortunately for me, Jack was President of ACTRA when I started work in the summer of 1980 and he was often in the Carlton Street office. Being then the sole Steward (Agreement Administrator), when Margaret was away, he was the only person from whom I could ask advice about the collective agreements and he was very generous with his time. At that time, I had recently emigrated from the UK and had much to learn about Canada, the Canadian writing community and unions and Jack was only too happy to educate me. He also always went out of his way to get to know the Writer Department’s staff and even once, cooked us all dinner at his son Nick’s apartment! - We kept in touch over the years and when I left the WGC, he wrote me a lovely email that I shall always treasure. Joy, was what he signed at the end of his letters which for me sums up the warmth of his personality. So in his memory, here is my attempt at Haiku: Jack Gray Smile with your silver mane We remember and wish you Joy
Wednesday April 12, 2017 at 12:34 am
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