Horseman Robert Gary ‘Bobby’ Gray, 56, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday (June 10) at Saratoga Hospital, surrounded by his family.
He was born on October 28, 1961 in Norway, Maine, the son of Hazel Toothaker Gray and the late Gary R. Gray.
After finishing school Gray entered the Army and learned to drive a truck while serving his country. This is a skill would stay with him for the rest of his life. Upon returning to civilian life, Gray drove everything from commercial tractor-trailers to equine transportation vans of all sizes and became a friend to everyone who met him while shipping racehorses all over New England and the northeast for years.
Aside from earning a living to support his family, Gray’s true passion had always been harness racing, and he took part in the sport whenever time allowed. First attending the races with his father, he did the same with his children as they grew up and all enjoyed the races together as a family affair.
Gray was a trainer and driver and was first licensed in 1982. He was an amateur driver his whole life and competed in the CKG Billings series as well as amateur races in Maine and most recently in Massachusetts at Plainridge Park in 2017.
On the training side, Gray oversaw a small stable most of his career and posted 1,412 lifetime starts with 189 wins, 183 seconds and 169 thirds. Those starts earned his trainees $564,166 in purses. His best two years were 2011 and 2012 when he won a combined 108 races and $300,328 in purses.
He did everything he could to provide the best for the horses in his care, but always made time to help those that needed a hand at the racetrack. All of his racing colleagues, who affectionately knew him as ‘Bobby,’ have truly lost a great friend. He has been a fixture in the harness racing community for many years and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Gray cared deeply about his family, was a proud husband and father and always gave all he had to them. He is survived by his beloved wife Sheryl Gray; daughters Dawn Gray and Mikayla Gray; son Zackary Gray; sisters Patricia Mandeville (Scott) and JoAnn Nichols (Butch); brother John Gray (Omar Vazquez); mother-in-law Patricia Phipps; devoted friend Jim Nickerson (Heidi) along with many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Family and friends may call from 6 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, New York.
There will be a celebration of life at 11 am on Monday, June 18, 2018 at the American Legion, 46 Griffin St., Gardiner, ME.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Albany, NY 12205.
A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help defray the cost of this unexpected tragedy. It is getting close to hitting its goal and if you would wish to help, you can head to www.gofundme.com/5nu43jc?member=290172 to donate.
Also, if you wish to express your online condolences please visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com .
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bobby Gray.
(USTA)