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09/03/2013

In Memoriam - Steven Douglas Gray

Steve GraySteven Douglas Gray, 55, of Butler passed away peacefully Saturday morning, August 17, after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, a fight full of strength and miracles.

Surrounded by his family, Steve peacefully left this world in the comfort of the VNA Inpatient Hospice.

Born on May 28, 1958, he now joins his mother and father, Audrey and Albert Gray. A lifelong Catholic, Steve was an active and devoted member of the Holy Sepulcher Parish.

As a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, he got his start in industrial sales at LewisGoetz, Inc., formerly Gooding Rubber, and spent the past nine years with Manuli Hydraulics Americas as general manager for its North American operations.

While highly respected and loved at work, his greatest joy was being with his family. As a former basketball coach for his children at Holy Sepulcher Parish School, driving across states to attend basketball tournaments was how Steve spent many of his weekends. He loved seeing his children grow from their first days of learning to watching his oldest daughter receive her white coat at medical school.

Fishing with friends and family was his passion, and there wasn't a summer that went by without him taking his children camping or kayaking. He was a lover of music, and although he never could quite get the lyrics correct, the songs were even better because of it.

Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife, whether it was sitting on the back porch or traveling the world together. On these and other travels, he met many individuals who would become respected business associates and cherished friends.

Steve Gray hard at work refining NAHAD Hose Assembly Guidelines pictured with from left NAHAD Executive VP Joseph Thompson Sam Foti Jr. of Hose Master preceding Standards Chairman Steve and Robb Fish NAHAD Program Manager at the time of photoSteve was a stalwart supporter of and contributor to NAHAD. He served on the NAHAD Board of Directors during his employment at LewisGoetz from April 2002 until September 2004. The change in his employment from LewisGoetz to Manuli Hydraulics (Americas) required Steve to resign his position on the NAHAD Board, but he continued to be very active in the Association. In April 2006, Steve was appointed to serve as NAHAD Standards Committee Chairman and a year later, he was appointed to serve as a NAHAD Officer on the Executive Committee. His dedicated and tireless service was acknowledged by his many friends and co-volunteers in the association.

Steve is survived by his wife, Patricia Cudoc-Gray, and his three treasured children, Megan, Laura and Nathan. He leaves behind his dear siblings, Kimberly Gray-Kamins (Kevin), David Gray (Janie) and Michael Gray (Jan); his niece, Emma; his nephew, Christopher; his beloved mother-in-law, Fran Cudoc, many loving brothers and sisters-in-law, relatives and abundant friends.

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life, so enjoy it."

Donations in Steve’s honor may be made to Dr. Daniel Laheru's pancreatic cancer research at Johns Hopkins. Donations can be made online here or by mail, addressed to Ralph H. Hruban, M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 401 N. Broadway, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD 21231-2410.

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