Obituary of Gerald "Cy" E. De Gray
Gerald E. “Cy” De Gray, 93, of Cambridge passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Rosewood Assisted Living in Cambridge.
He was born March 5, 1924 in Minneapolis, MN to Oliver and Hazel (Johnson) De Gray. Gerald graduated from Patrick Henry High School and went on to join the U.S. Navy and served for 3 years. He was
stationed in Hawaii during World War II and sent his money allotment back home to help his family. He was honorably discharged in
November 1945. Upon returning home, Cy had many jobs including ice delivery to residents, packing and unloading rail cars, and a cracker baker; later, making a career as a brick layer.
On June 25, 1951 he was united in marriage to Patricia Noterman in Brooklyn Center. They made their home in New Brighton. In 1963, they moved east of Cambridge to raise their children. Cy loved his bricklaying and going to work as well as working his farm fields and crops. He always had a smile and loved kidding around with all trades. His farming brought good humor with some of the things he would do, like the time he was picking corn and forgot to hook up the wagon. Many people saw what he had done and never let him forget it. As a bricklayer, he won first place in a contest for ‘Apprentice of the Year’. He always had a smile when he talked about his trophy with the ‘big eagle' on it. Cy once worked on a church, during a sermon, the priest talked about how Cy would laugh and about all the witty things he had to say. He never was a man lost for words.
Cy enjoyed watching his boys’ wrestling matches, everyone in the stands knew who his boys were. He loved to golf in the area as well as with his sons in Las Vegas and California. Once, he got a hole in one at Falcon Ridge, which he always liked to talk about. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, especially enjoyed fishing at Mille Lacs Lake. Cy spent time with good friends Hubert, Doc and Loterell, in his last years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Patricia in June 2002; daughter Julie Ann; sister Venus Peterson; brother Oliver De Gray.
Cy is survived by his children Jeff (Carol) De Gray, Jim De Gray (Jai), John (Patrice) De Gray, Joe De Gray, Jacque (Anne) De Gray, Jeanne De Gray, Jeanette (Rick) VanOrnum, Jennifer (Ron) Yurkew; 19 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren;sister Janis Lewis, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial 11AM Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Cambridge. Visitation Monday 5-8 PM at the funeral home and one hour prior to service at the church.
