Anthony "Tony" Joseph Gray

On May 13, 2022, Anthony (Tony) Joseph Gray, 86, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father with his loving wife, Joan, by his side. A private memorial was held on May 27, 2022. Tony was born on April 7, 1936, in Bath, New York, into a large Italian family. After WWII, newlyweds Anne Ruocco and Jesse Gray, Tony’s adoptive parents, moved to Albuquerque to begin their family. Tony’s lifelong passion was sports. He excelled in football and track (broad jump) at Jefferson Junior High and Highland High School. In 1954, Tony and his touchdown twin, Dewey Bowling, led Highland High to their first Class AA Football Championship against reigning Artesia 20-0. Tony graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelors in Business Administration. He played for the Lobos with Don Perkins and Coach Marv Levy making records that are still unbroken today. He was a member of Delta Sigma Pi fraternity. He worked for Standard Oil and retired from Allstate Insurance Company. He coached YAFL and assisted Dewey in coaching track at Menaul High School. At 35 yrs. old he became a golfer and supported many golf tournaments raising funds for college scholarships. He was club champion at Arroyo Del Oso at 52. The previous year he played in the Sears - Allstate golf tournament with 12 consecutive birdies, a total of 13, with a score of 58. Tony is predeceased by his parents, Anne and Jesse Gray, brother Mark Gray of Albuquerque; half brother, Frank Giambrone, half sister Frances Howe and husband Harvey Howe of Corning, NY. He is survived by his wife, Joan (Pearl), his former wife, Kay (Hansford), and daughters, Dawn Martinez and Keri Golden; grandchildren Kara Martinez Stromberg, MD (Shannon), Matthew Martinez (Ashley), Jenna Lamkin (Baylan), Chad Martinez, Kevin Golden and four great-grandchildren; brother Don Gray (Stella) of Albuquerque and Jesse Gray (Sally) of McKinney, Texas; half sisters Mary Rice (Bob) of The Villages, Florida, Sally Fuller of Beaver Dams, NY, and Angie Good (Larry) of Corning, NY.

"You won the race, my love. Now rest in the arms of our Father in Heaven until we meet again."