Wendell Leslie Cray
July 8, 1943 — March 5, 2024
Tilton, NH
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Wendell Leslie Cray
Wendell Leslie Cray, 80, died March 5, 2024 in Boscawen, NH. He was born on July 7th in Biddeford, ME, the son of Herbert Cray and Hannah (Worthen) Cray. Wendell was the lifelong husband of Patricia “Pat” (Provencal) and they were married for 59 years.
When talking about or in remembrance of him, most conversations begin with the words “Oh, Wendell….”, followed by a hearty story, and a long laugh. Though he was born in ME, he lived most of his life in Laconia before moving to Tilton (Lochmere) where he and Pat raised their family. Wendell was the owner of Bayside Service. The garage was not just his livelihood, it was an extension of his family, and he was proud to work side by side with his son Steve and Greg Parker. If not in the wrecker or working on a car, Wendell was enjoying life. He had many hobbies including racing sled dogs, camping, hunting, woodworking, and most of all fishing. He and his wife were also founding members of the Lochmere Beach Association. Most of all though, his hobby was making friends and enjoying “good people”. Pat and Wendell opened their home to just about anyone who wanted to pull up a chair, tell a story, or play a game of cards; oh if that dining room table could talk, the stories it could tell. This never changed as he got older whether at the Tilton Senior Center playing “nickels” or visiting in the day room, his days were filled with joy, humor, and stories that never got old, mostly because they would change from time to time. He was known for being the “center of the party”.
Wendell was predeceased by his wife Pat in 2020, both parents, his brother Richard “Dick” Cray, and his sister Beverly (Cray) Shaw. He is survived by his brother Robert Cray and his wife Linda of Laconia, his sister Harriet (Cray) Biggs of Johnstown, PA, his son Scott Cray and partner Donna of Nottingham, NH, his son Steven Cray and wife Pattie of Laconia, NH, and daughter Shannon (Cray) Craig of Oakgrove, KY. He was proud to hold the title of grandpa and to talk about his grand-children and great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 1st at Union Cemetery in Laconia, NH where Wendell and Pat will be buried together by the pond at 10:30 am. Family and friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Tilton Senior Center 11 Grange Rd. Tilton, NH 03276. The family would also like to thank the staff at Peabody Place and Merrimack County Nursing Home for their wonderful care and dedication to supporting elders living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
When talking about or in remembrance of him, most conversations begin with the words “Oh, Wendell….”, followed by a hearty story, and a long laugh. Though he was born in ME, he lived most of his life in Laconia before moving to Tilton (Lochmere) where he and Pat raised their family. Wendell was the owner of Bayside Service. The garage was not just his livelihood, it was an extension of his family, and he was proud to work side by side with his son Steve and Greg Parker. If not in the wrecker or working on a car, Wendell was enjoying life. He had many hobbies including racing sled dogs, camping, hunting, woodworking, and most of all fishing. He and his wife were also founding members of the Lochmere Beach Association. Most of all though, his hobby was making friends and enjoying “good people”. Pat and Wendell opened their home to just about anyone who wanted to pull up a chair, tell a story, or play a game of cards; oh if that dining room table could talk, the stories it could tell. This never changed as he got older whether at the Tilton Senior Center playing “nickels” or visiting in the day room, his days were filled with joy, humor, and stories that never got old, mostly because they would change from time to time. He was known for being the “center of the party”.
Wendell was predeceased by his wife Pat in 2020, both parents, his brother Richard “Dick” Cray, and his sister Beverly (Cray) Shaw. He is survived by his brother Robert Cray and his wife Linda of Laconia, his sister Harriet (Cray) Biggs of Johnstown, PA, his son Scott Cray and partner Donna of Nottingham, NH, his son Steven Cray and wife Pattie of Laconia, NH, and daughter Shannon (Cray) Craig of Oakgrove, KY. He was proud to hold the title of grandpa and to talk about his grand-children and great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 1st at Union Cemetery in Laconia, NH where Wendell and Pat will be buried together by the pond at 10:30 am. Family and friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Tilton Senior Center 11 Grange Rd. Tilton, NH 03276. The family would also like to thank the staff at Peabody Place and Merrimack County Nursing Home for their wonderful care and dedication to supporting elders living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wendell Leslie Cray, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Graveside Service
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)
Union Cemetery
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