Honoring Ishpeming Township Fire Chief Richard 'Dick' Gray
Channel: UpperPeninsulaBreakingNews Greg Peterson
Date: 2018-02-16

Honoring a fireman’s fireman: Over 44 years in service to the community of Ishpeming Township

Over 44 years of service to the people of Ishpeming Township, Michigan
Saying good bye to a friend of the people
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Ishpeming Township, Michigan) - A solemn final broadcast today for the former Ishpeming Township Fire Chief Dick Gray – who died at the age of 83 on Mon., Feb. 12,2018
Marquette County 911 Central Dispatch honored Ishpeming Township Fire Chief Richard 'Dick” M. Gray his dedicated service – and the broadcast started as his funeral service ended.
Longtime Ishpeming Township Fireman including serving for four years as the fire chief - Ishpeming Township Fire Chief Richard 'Dick” M. Gray.
Honoring a 44-year vet of the Ishpeming Township Volunteer Fire Department – during which he served four years as chief. We must also thank his wife, Rita Gray, as she donated him to the community.
Thank you Ishpeming Township Fire Chief and Firefighter Dick Gray!

http://www.bjorkandzhulkie.com/obituary/richard-gray
http://www.ishpemingtownship.com/fire-department/
https://www.facebook.com/Ishpeming-Township-Fire-and-Rescue-134788233201492/?rf=913626652060516
Ishpeming Township Fire Department
1575 US 41 West
Ishpeming, MI 49849
 
Richard M. “Dick” Gray
Ishpeming Twp. – Richard M. “Dick” Gray, age 83, of 1795 Ellsworth St., Ishpeming Twp., MI passed away on Monday, February 12, 2018 at the Marquette Co Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming while in the loving care of his family and staff members.
Richard was born May 28, 1934 in Norway, MI the son of the late Melvin R. and Dora (Vandervest) Gray. He grew up in Norway and was a graduate of the Norway High School, Class of 1952. He served in the United States Army from 1952 – 54, having been stationed in Germany. He married Rita Marie Draxler on April 27, 1957 in Iron Mountain, MI. They resided in Milwaukee, WI for a few years prior to moving to Marquette in 1964 and then to Ishpeming Twp. in 1965. Dick had worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. for over 30 years, mainly at the Brownstone Shops in Ishpeming as a machinist retiring in 1996.
Dick was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He served on the Ishpeming Township Volunteer Fire Dept. for over 44 years and had been Chief for 4 of those years. He was also a member of the Ishpeming VFW. While raising his family, Dick enjoyed family camping trips during the summer months, especially the trips out West. During his retirement years he and Rita enjoyed traveling to various world destinations. Dick would often pass his time by reading or by doing woodworking projects in his later years.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years Rita Gray of Ishpeming, son Larry (Becky) Gray of Ishpeming, daughter Diane (Brent) Rosten of Negaunee Twp., six grandchildren – Thalicia, Shea, Tayler, Tessa, Nathan and Marisa, 2 great grandchildren – Benson and Aleah, brother Robert (Mary) Gray of Green Bay, WI, sisters – Phyllis Johnson of Manistique and Kathy (Dave) Honkanen of Milwaukee, WI, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anice Cappeart and brother-in-law Roy Johnson.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00am – 1:00pm on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming, where the Ishpeming Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept will serve as honor guard and hold a memorial prayer service prior to the Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00pm on Friday at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Larry Van Damme to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of the Ishpeming Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ishpeming St. Vincent de Paul Society, 322 Cleveland Ave., Ishpeming, MI 49849 in Dick’s memory.
Dick’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.