Charles W. Gray V

Charles W. Gray, former Mayor of Hainesport, NJ, passed away on Friday August 23, 2024, with his family by his side. Born Feb. 26,1930, he was a very active 94 year old. He was married to his wife, Sally (nee Eble) for 74 years. His great, great grandfather migrated from Wales (UK) in the mid 1700’s. He graduated from Mount Holly H.S. in 1949. He served in the NJ National Guard for 16 years and was a sergeant in Co. “D”. In Hainesport, he was very active in politics and community activities. He served 30 years on the local election board, 6 years on the Twp. Committee, and 2 years as Mayor. He was elected to the County Committee and served for 37 years. Charles was an avid hunter and owned Gray’s Archery Shop and taught hunter safety for the NJ Division of Fish and Game. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and a founding member of the local “Friends of the NRA” committee. He raised pigeons for over 80 years and won numerous awards flying and showing his roller and homing pigeons. He retired from NJ Bell in 1983. Active in the Masonic Fraternity he was Master of Mt. Holly Lodge #14 in 2001 and appointed Grand Chaplain in 2003. He was a 32 Degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite in Collingswood, NJ. He was a dual member of Central Masonic Lodge #44 in Vincentown and Horizon Daylight Lodge#299 in Bordentown, and Honorary member of New Egypt and Pemberton Lodges. He was an active Shriner. Charles had over 4600 hours of voluntary service at the Masonic Village Chapel in Burlington. He served as Chaplain in Mt. Holly Elks #848. His many other Masonic activities are too long and varied! He was known to play harmonica solos and loved to take pictures of the grand kids and other wildlife as he would say. He read an average book a week. His favorite saying was “KEEP SMILING... IT MAKES EVERYONE WONDER WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO” Pre-deceased by his parents Charles Gray IV and Ida Pratt Gray (Gray’s Market) and 2 sisters Eleanor Gray and Dorothy G. Cramer. He is survived by his sister Ruth Vause in Sebring, Fla., his wife, Sally, daughters Susan Gray Dalton, and Hollie Riess (Richard), 7 grandchildren Scott Dalton, Michele Riess, Jennifer Oakley (Ryan), Shawn Dalton, Jamie Argiropoulos (Anthony), Shannon Dalton (Melissa), and Jodi Diekmann (Scott) and 14 Great-Grandchildren. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends and he loved them all. Funeral services for Charles will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd at 11am at Perinchief Chapels, 438 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ, 08060. Friends and relatives are invited to his viewing on Monday, September 2nd from 6-8pm at Perinchief Chapels, and Tuesday September 3rd from 10-11am prior to the start of services. Burial will follow the services at Mount Holly Baptist Cemetery, Pine Street, Mount Holly, 08060. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Masonic Charity Foundation in Burlington, NJ, Deborah Hospital (Mt. Holly Chapter) or Shriners Children Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

Charles W. Gray V

February 26, 1930 - August 23, 2024