David Caulkins Gray passed away peacefully on April 11. He was surrounded by family in his home in Stamford. He was 85 years old.
Poppy, as he was fondly called by his immediate family, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was born on Aug. 31, 1936 in New Rochelle, NY, to Julius and Betty Gray, the youngest of 3 boys. As a youth, David attended Choate preparatory school and then went on to attend Williams College, graduating in 1958.
David met Susie Mountain in New York City, and they married on May 14 in Georgetown, CT, 1966. Soon thereafter they moved to Riverside, CT, living on Verona Drive for over 40 years. There they raised their 4 children, David, Lizzy, Robby and Gardner. David was predeceased by his wife, Susie, in 2007; and is survived by their 4 children and 9 grandchildren.
David was employed at Frank L. Savage Inc. as a textile salesman in Manhattan. He rose to lead and own the company, building relationships worldwide from the UK to Hong Kong as a knitwear designer and importer, later known as Greenwich International. His affinity for creativity and design was also realized through his love and passion for gardening, photography and painting.
David and Susie Gray were active in the community, raising a family. As members of Riverside Yacht Club, they loved playing tennis and spending weekends boating with their kids on Long Island Sound. They could easily be recognized driving around town in their Ford station wagon with their ‘DASU’ license plate. David was a kind, fun-loving and generous man who bestowed his warm personality on all he met and knew. He loved his children fiercely and was incredibly proud of all his grandchildren. His children are blessed and grateful for the amazing upbringing and life foundations that both parents bestowed on them. David-Poppy was a wonderful person who made a major impact on many and will be greatly missed.
A private memorial with his immediate family is planned later this year in Cape Cod, a place where he fondly enjoyed spending time.
We would like to thank Home Care Connectors for the tremendous care over the past year, and especially in his final days. The family would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to Dr. James A. Brunetti for his phenomenal care and compassion toward our father.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road, Greenwich, CT 06830, to honor Dr. Brunetti.
