2025 -- S 0005
========
LC000021
========
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
____________
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, and Ruggerio
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. 1
Gray, the beloved husband of Mary Gray for seventy years, and the father of Walt Gray and his 2
wife, Monica, and Tim Gray and his wife, Sheila. He was also the very proud grandfather of 3
eight grandchildren, Ryan and Matthew Gray, Abby, Kelly and Joseph Gray, Shannon and Kyle 4
Brassil, and Nora Gray; and 5
WHEREAS, Born in the City of Woonsocket, Mr. Gray was a son of the late John and 6
Alice Gray. He was a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy and served our nation with 7
honor in the United States Army. Upon returning from service, he earned his Bachelor’s degree 8
from Boston University in 1951; and 9
WHEREAS, Mr. Gray took a position as the assistant purser for Grace Line, Inc. before 10
joining the staff of the Providence Journal as a state staff reporter in 1952. In 1955, he and his 11
wife founded the East Providence Post weekly newspaper; and 12
WHEREAS, Well-respected for his journalistic talents, Mr. Gray was named press 13
secretary to Governor Christopher Del Sesto in 1959, and was appointed assistant professor of 14
communications at URI’s College of Agriculture in 1960. He subsequently took a position as a 15
public relations officer and later became Assistant to the President before taking a leave of 16
absence to become a foreign service officer assigned to New Delhi, India; and 17
WHEREAS, In 1968, Mr. Gray returned to the University of Rhode Island as the Director 18
of the Division of Marine Resources at the Graduate School of Oceanography. For his service to 19
LC000021 - Page 2 of 2
URI, he received the URI President's Award for Administrative Excellence in 1978; and 1
WHEREAS, Always an active and contributing member of the community, Mr. Gray 2
served in numerous philanthropic, and State and community positions including President of the 3
Kingston Potter Trust of the R.I. Foundation, President of Christ the King Church Parish Council, 4
a member of the State of R.I. Trade Mission to Japan, a member of the Governor’s Council on 5
Tourism, an adjunct professor at Bryant University, former President of the Board of Directors of 6
the Courthouse Center for the Arts, and past President of the Narragansett Chamber of 7
Commerce; and 8
WHEREAS, The Honorable Walter Gray also served the people of Rhode Island in a 9
panoply of elected positions including as a member and past President of the South Kingstown 10
Town Council, and as a Rhode Island State Senator for two terms; and 11
WHEREAS, Walter Gray was a steadfast gentleman who left this world a far better place 12
because of his life’s endeavors. He enriched the lives of all who knew him and he is dearly 13
missed; now, therefore be it 14
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends deepest 15
condolences on the passing of the Honorable Walter J. Gray; and be it further 16
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 17
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Mary Gray and Family. 18
19
========
LC000021
========