Eugene (Gene) Gray ~ January 14, 1926 – June 16, 2023
Eugene (Gene) Gray passed away peacefully and gracefully with his family by his side in Taos, NM on June 16, 2023.
Gene was born in Chicago, IL. He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 67 years, Sara Jean Gray, his son, Daniel (Darlene) Gray of Roselle, IL, his daughter, Julie Gray of Taos, NM, and his daughter Belinda (William) Miceli of Tucson, AZ, grandsons Brandon Miceli of Phoenix, AZ, and Jesse (Lacey) Miceli of Wenatchee, WA., three beautiful great grandchildren, Wyatt, Marlo, and Finnian. He is also survived by his sister Barbara (Howard) Gordon of Homewood, IL and his nephews and nieces.
Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a photographer extraordinaire, adventurer, traveler, bread and bialy maker, bird watcher, real estate developer and a music lover. Gene entered the Navy on his 17th birthday and became a pilot during WW2.
The family of Eugene Gray would like to thank the staff of Red Willow Hospice for the excellent care and compassion that they provided.
Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home, Taos. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com
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About |
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| Name | Eugene Gray |
| Date of Birth | 1926 |
| Date of Death | June 16th, 2023 |
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Memorial |
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| Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Taos | |
| Address |
818 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur Taos NM 87571 United States |
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published a tribute .
Gene was a friend and fellow photographer. I had been friends with Sara Jean and Gene when they lived in Chicago and followed them West when I moved to Colorado.
I was honored to have the Grays as friends and fellow art enthusiasts.
Gene was an elegant gentleman who was a connoisseur of the best coffee, best Manhattan, best hummingbird feeder, best food and a collection of friends who always listened carefully and gave the best of themselves.
Charm, wit and a most ingratiating personality highlighted Gene’s many wonderful traits.
Shine on Gene, I will miss you. My love
To Sara Jean and all the family.
Valerie Burke
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published a tribute .
Gene will be sorely missed. He was a class act and never missed an opportunity for a funny joke or comeback. For 22 years we adored his smile and wit. And he was an artist as well with his many cameras and black and white film. Gene was the kind of guy that always made us smile at his charm and loving smile. Linda and I will miss you.
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published a tribute .
I was so blessed to meet
Gene (Pops) later on in my life but will cherish his memory forever and beyond.
I loved his warm smile, kind eyes and soothing voice. ❤️
I celebrate him !!!
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published a tribute .
It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Mr. Gray. He was one of our favorites customers who came in with a great big smile, charm, friendliness, and was always happy! Our deepest condolences to his wife and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers
published a comment .
I’m saddened to know of the passing of Mr.Eugene Gray. I had the pleasure of hearing sentiments about him shared by his precious daughter Julie, a fellow colleague & dear friend. May Eugene Gray Rest in Peace.
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published a tribute .
I loved his personality, made me laugh & smile.
He was such a kind & very adventurous man.
My condolences to the family.
Sending love.
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published a tribute .
So many memories of my favorite uncle. One that jumps out is Uncle Gene's guidance in learning to develop film and print photographs in the darkroom in their home in Flossmoor, IL. Magical moments.
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published a tribute .
To all you wordsmiths is realness a word. That is how I describe our Beautiful Uncle. Regardless of the years between our visits they were each so enjoyable. It was similar to putting on a pair of comfortable shoes and kicking back feeling good. My beautiful bride (Vicki) of 39 years adored him as they have a shared love of photography. In his younger years when we shared a visit over a bourbon or scotch it was always filled with a fondness that will be a part of my forever memory. May the walls of heaven now be filled with Gene’s wonderful b/w photos. Forever Love
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published a tribute .
We have known and loved Gene and Sara Jean for 22 years here in Taos. I feel fortunate that we were able to profile them on our newsletter (June 2023) for TENT (Taos Elders & Neighbors Together) and describe just a bit what special people they are.
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published a tribute .
Gene said that Babe Ruth hit a home run during the first baseball game he attended as a young kid. In fact, he said, Ruth “called” the home run by pointing at the right field stands at Wrigley Field in Chicago in 1931. Gene was a wonderful storyteller. Whether he embellished or not, Gene always had the rapt attention of his audience because he told stories with humor and attention to detail. Often, the stories drew on his experience in real estate or in the Navy. Sometimes they illustrated the frailties of mankind or contained a moral lesson. He always displayed grace and wisdom. I had the pleasure and good fortune of conversing with him and Tom Podlecki, his photographic partner, regularly over Saturday breakfast for a number of years. I got to know and appreciate his wife Sara Jean. We shared their appreciation for art, music, and good cooking. When I said I missed New York bialys (a kind of bagel without the hole), Gene prepared some for breakfast. He promised the recipe. Sadly, I will never eat his Balys again, share his observations on mankind, or enjoy his friendship. We miss him dearly.
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published a tribute .
This treasure of a human being will be missed by the rest of us for a very long time. Not many are made as this man was: Loving, kind, gracious, resilient, multi-talented with a genius for storytelling & a marvelously delightful sense of humor. My sincere condolences to the family of this extraordinary man.
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published a tribute .
Gene and his lovely Bride, Sara Jean, are two of the most beautiful and loving people I was lucky enough to have known. Whenever I would run into Gene, or see him in my office, my day became much brighter and more joyful! I will never forget his infectious smile, his obvious love of life, his gentle spirit, and his wit and sense of humor! Travel well, my Friend....
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published a comment .
Julie, and Gray family, our sincere condolences. May your dad Rest in Eternal Peace.
Dennis and Alice Quintana
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published a tribute .
It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to our brother and uncle. It was always a pleasure being with Gene, fun, interesting, informative. His picture taking was always on target with his sense of humor right behind. Some of those photos hang in our kitchen to this day.
Thank you, Gene, for always being so dear; we will have good memories forever.
Much love,
Barbara, Howard, Ben and Lynn
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published a tribute .
It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to a brother and uncle. It was always a pleasure being with Gene, fun, interesting and informative. His picture taking was always on target with his sense of humor right behind.
Thank you, Gene, for always being so dear, and we will have good memories forever.
Muc love,
Barbara, Howard, Ben and Lynn
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