Obituary: Retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Richard Gray
Retired U.S. Navy
Master Chief Richard Gray
BRUNSWICK – Retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Richard “Dick” Gray passed away at home on Oct. 6, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Dick was born in Deblois, Maine Oct. 25, 1936, the eldest of Jennie and Clyde Gray’s five sons. He attended Calais High School and married Delia “Dee” right after returning from Navy Boot Camp. They were married 70 years.
Dick was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Ronald Gray.
He is survived by his wife, Delia; and his children, daughter, Cindy and husband Leon Dudley of Vassalboro, his son, Michael and wife Beverly Gray of Topsham, daughter, Jo Anne and husband Bruce Dempsey of Wayland, Mich., and daughter, Dianne Gray of Brunswick. He is survived by 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three of his brothers, Robert, Royce “Jack” and Randy Gray.
Dick went into the Navy directly from high school, he spent 32 years in service to his country with tours around the world. Dick served in the U.S. Navy as a P-2 aircrewman and a P-3 Flight Engineer in VP squadrons 21, 45, 30, and 10, amassing over 20,000 flight hours. He then served as the maintenance master chief at VP-26. He retired in 1976 and spent five years as the service manager at Dow Motors in Ellsworth. He was then voluntarily recalled to active duty and spent 12 years as a command master chief at VP-23, NAS Sigonella, VP-11, NAS Brunswick, and VQ-2 in Rota Spain before retiring again from the Navy in 1992.
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After retiring Dick served on the Ellsworth School Board for 20 years, was president of the Maine State School Board, worked as service manager at Darlings in Ellsworth and Northeast Ambulance.
Dick was the patriarch of the family, always with a helping hand, a quick wit and ready smile. He started his mechanical career taking apart everything he could reach as a child, including the kitchen appliances. He was an incredible husband, son, big brother, uncle, cousin, Father and Pop-Pop.
The family would like to thank CHANS Hospice staff for their exceptional care at the end of Dick’s life.
There will be no service. Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.brackettfh.com.
“Fair winds and following seas, shipmate, we have the watch, you stand relieved.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum in Richard’s name.
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