Obituary of Thomas A. Gray

In Loving Memory of Tom Gray 1944–2025 Thomas ("Tom") A. Gray, 81, of Guilford, New York, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025. A beloved father, husband, teacher, historian, and storyteller, Tom devoted his life to curiosity, community, and love in all its forms. Born to Julia Froehling and Thomas Gray on June 9, 1944, Tom grew up in Queens, NY and earned his B.A. from Brooklyn College in 1968, followed by an M.S. from Bank Street College of Education. In August 1970, Tom married Nancy, the love of his life. It was soon after they married that they decided to move from the city to upstate New York. Together they bought their home in Guilford, NY in 1971, where they spent their summers on the lake, always opening the welcome mat to many family members. They were blessed with a daughter, Alison in 1973, and they moved permanently to Guilford in 1979. After Nancy's sudden passing in 1985, Tom found love again and married Wilma Felton-Gray in 2000. They shared their pride in the Town of Guilford and a love of exploration, leading hikes in Chenango County and traveling to various tropical islands. The Town of Guilford was always Tom's sanctuary; a place he lovingly called "paradise". Tom began his teaching career at Joan of Arc in Harlem, NYC, before moving upstate, where he taught Chemistry and Physics at New Berlin High School until his retirement in 1997. Tom was a teacher at heart—known for his hands-on experiments and ability to make science come alive. Under his guidance, many of his students won awards at science fairs. His classroom was a place where young minds were encouraged to have fun with learning and think deeply. His love of learning was contagious — the kind of teacher students remembered long after graduation. After retiring from teaching, Tom devoted himself to history—becoming Guilford's Town Historian in 1997. He spent his days researching early town records and family histories and authored numerous books, including Walking Down Main Street, Living Near the River, The Days of the Mill and the Mansion, and From the Hills of North Guilford. In recognition of his lifelong service, he was designated a New York State Registered Historian in 2013 and named Historian Emeritus of Guilford in 2023. His dedication earned him the Citizen of the Year Award in 2005 and the admiration of the community. Tom lived a simple but full life, always appreciating the small moments that others might overlook. Whether it was the meditative sound of his waterfalls, the laughter of his grandchildren, or the satisfaction of uncovering a forgotten piece of local history, he found joy in the everyday. His life was rich because of the love he gave, the stories he preserved, and the peace he saw in the world around him. He found joy in nature—wandering his backyard trails, sitting by his waterfalls, and caring for his flower gardens. He was a beautiful writer, a curious researcher, and a man with a quiet, enduring sense of humor. His legacy lives on in the memories of his family and friends, who loved him deeply, and in the students he inspired and the histories he preserved. Tom is survived by his daughter Alison Lochridge and her husband David, and grandchildren Kate and Liam of Fairfield, CT; and by his stepdaughter Stefany Pettinger, and her husband Matthew of Rigby, ID, and grandchildren Allyssa Sarkis, Trey Pike, Aaron Pike, Caroline Pike, Gabriella Pike and step-daughter Brenda Yocum and grandchild Jadon Yocum of Salisbury, NC, along with many beloved great-grandchildren. Please join us in celebrating the life of Tom Gray on Monday, November 24th. We will gather from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Guilford Historical Society, followed by a 12:30 p.m. service at the United Methodist Church of Guilford. Burial will follow the service at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Guilford. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association to help find a cure, to Tom's second home at the Guilford Historical Society, or to the Guilford Fire Department, where Tom volunteered in his early years in Guilford. Your presence and support are deeply appreciated as we honor Tom's life, legacy, and the community he loved.