Family/Spouse: Linda. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

GRAY - James Edwin October 23, 2017. Jim was born on November 10, 1932 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late George Edwin Gray and the late Beulah (Liz) Butler. He is survived by his loving wife, Jody (Lammerts) Gray, and 5 children: son Mark (Linda) Gray, of Ransomville, NY; daughters Jami (Jim) Brown, of Myrtle Creek, OR, Jacque (Bob) McConnaghy, of Skaneateles, NY, Jodi (Michael) McLean of Pacific Grove, CA and his "baby," Kristin (Jack) Chappell, of Oswego, NY. He also has two beloved grandchildren, Kelsey (Kyle) Norlin of Anacortes, WA and Shaun McConnaghy, of Chicago, IL and the mother of Jim's children, Mary Brass Grey. Jim was born in Niagara Falls, and attended Niagara Falls schools. Jim's life was devoted to helping others. As a youth in Niagara Falls and in LaSalle, he had three paper routes. When he was just 10, he scrubbed kitchen floors for money to help his family. He also took a wagon to the train yards and picked up fallen lumps of coal for the furnace. As a teenager, he painted houses for cash to help his family's finances. He joined in the U.S. Navy at 17, and served as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. He came home and worked at various jobs. Then he found his calling. He joined the Niagara Falls Police Department. He served 50 years as a police officer, spending most of those years as a Captain. He was a graduate of the 126th Session of the elite FBI National Academy. He also graduated from many Police, Fire and Public Safety courses over the years. He was a NY State Certified Firefighter, volunteering for over 20 years with the Cambria Volunteer Fire Co. He was assigned to many commands over his years in the Police Department, including Patrol, Internal Affairs, the Detective Bureau and the Organized Crime Task Force. He served as Chief of Homicide and of Juvenile Aid. He also spent many years as Co-Director of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy. His first love, however, was Patrol. He ended his Police career at age 70, in 2002, He was Commander, for a second time, of his beloved "B" Platoon. After retiring, he immediately began work with NY State Racing and Wagering. He helped set up the State's system at the new Seneca Niagara Casino. He worked there for several years before retiring to travel the Eastern US in his motor-home with his wife and dog. He also enjoyed cruises on Regent Cruise Lines, most recently in Europe and the Caribbean, and tending to his beloved roses. He was an Exempt and Life Member of the Cambria Volunteer Fire Dept. He served as an active Firefighter, as well as in Fire Police. He was also President for several terms, and a member of the Board of Directors for many years. Jim was also very active and multiple time president of the LaSalle Lion's Club for many years. A celebration of life service will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at 2:00 pm at Immaculate Conception RC Church, 4671 Townline Rd., (Rte. 429), Ransomville with the Rev. James Bastian officiating. Reception to follow at the Cambria Volunteer Fire Company, 4361 Cambria-Wilson Rd., Lockport, 14094. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cambria Volunteer Fire Co. Ambulance Fund. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Rd., Ransomville. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for your online condolences.

James married BRASS, Mary E on 25 Jun 1955 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette

St. Charles Borromeo Church
was the setting this morning
(June 25, 1955) at 11 o'clock for
the wedding of Miss Mary E.
Brass and James E. Gray.
The Rev. Norman R. Conlin
officiated at the double-ring
ceremony for the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Maurice L. Brass, 60th
St., and the son of Mr. and Mrs.
George E. Gray, 69th St.
Escorted by her father to the
altar that was decorated with
white gladioli, the bride was
gowned, in a ballerina-length
dress of jersey and nylon tulle,
fashioned with a fitted bodice
and full skirt detailed with, graduated
ruffles. A queen's crown
embroidered with pearls held her
fingertip-length veil and she carried
a cascade bouquet of summer
flowers and ivy,
A ballerina-length gown of
white net over taffeta was worn
by Mrs. Jean Law son, matron of
honor. Her headpiece was made
of deep blue feathered shasta
daisies and she carried a matching
bouquet.
The duties of best man were
performed'by Forrest Dennison.
A reception will.be held this
evening at St. George's Hall.
The mother of the bride will receive
her guests in a silver beige
antique satin dress with black
and salmon colored accessories.
A pink voile dress with na.vv blue
accessories will be the choice of
the mother of the bridegroom.
Mrs. Gray will depart on her
wedding trip wearing a white
shantung sheath with peacock
blue cummerbund and a white
picture hat and accessories, Upon
their return, Mr. and Mrs. Gray
will reside in this city.

George + BUTLER, Beulah. Beulah and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Maurice married MCLEAN, Mary G about Oct 1922 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Mary was born on 15 Jan 1898; died in May 1984 in Youngstown, Town of Porter, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Warsaw NY Western New York - 11/2/1922

Mr. and Mrs. .Albert Brass and Mrs
Frank Brass attended the wedding
of. Maurice Brass to Miss Mary Mc-
Lean of Niagara Falls on Tuesday.

ALSO

Niagara Gazette - 10/22/1972

NIAGARA FALLS - Mr. and Mrs. Maurice
Brass will be renewing their 50-year-old wedding
vows this afternoon in a special Folk Mass at St.
Charles Church. Miss Isabelle Moore, Kenmore,
N.Y., will attend the ceremony and assist in the
blessing of the rings'. The readings during the
service were.chosen by the couple's children.
The festivities for the pair, who reside at 185 60th
St., began on Saturday night with a dinner for the
immediate family at the Boathouse Restaurant.
After the mass this afternoon, the couple will-be
honored at a tea held at Frontier Lanes.
Attending the weekend's events will be most of
the couples' 27 grandchildren and five great
grandchildren.
The couple's children are James Brass,
Calabases, Calif., Mrs. E.G. (Jean) DeLorenzo,
Richard Brass, Marietta, N.Y., Mrs. Angelo (Joan)
Rizzo, Mrs. James (Mary) GrayrWilliam Brass
and Peter Brass, Lewiston.

Frank married Elizabeth about 1886. Elizabeth was born in Sep 1854; died on 25 Mar 1926 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Warsaw NY Western New Yorker - 4/22/1926

The petition of Albert J.
Brass of Aurora, Erie county for
letters of administration upon the
estate of his mother, Elizabeth
Brass late of Sheldon, who died in
Buffalo on March 25, 1926, has
been granted. Mrs. Brass left an
estate valued $700 personal
and $1200 real property. Surviv-
ing to in herit the estate are five
sons, Edward E., and Maurice L.,
Brass of Buffalo; Frank J. Brass
of Oneida; Albert J. Brass of E.
Aurora; and Lucas H. Brass of Ar-
cade.