Dr. James Graham Gray

Elmira: passed away of natural causes, surrounded by his family, at his home on December 22, 2010. A long time member of the Elmira medical community, Jim was born May 5, 1924 in New York City, the son of the late William Alexander and Mildred Holden Gray. He was raised in Pelham Manor in Westchester, NY and graduated from the Pelham High School. He attended Williams College and left to serve in World War II as a pharmacist mate aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga Aircraft Carrier. After the war, Jim graduated from Williams College and furthered his education at Cornell Medical School from which he also graduated. He did his internships and part of his seven year residency at New York Hospital Cornell in New York City. Jim then finished his residency at the Edward G. Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo, NY. During his youth, in Pelham, he studied the piano with Francis Moore and had his piano by his side during internships, residency and beyond. He was an accomplished pianist and played every day. Jim was a member of the Rotary Club, Elmira City Club, Elmira Country Club and was vice president of the Choral and Symphony Society. He was an excellent golfer from his teen years on, a tennis player, sailor and card player; passing his knowledge down to his children and grandchildren. Jim was also a devoted gardener who loved spending hours in his plant room and his yard.

In 1953, he married Joan Fitzpatrick of New York City and was a loving and devoted husband. They were married for 57 years in September. Jim and Joan arrived in Elmira in 1957 to establish his practice and raise their children. Jim became the first physician to be staffed at both St. Joseph’s and Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospitals. He eventually became Chief of Surgery at both hospitals. While at St. Joseph’s he established the “Physicians Hospital Services”, where physicians spent the night and covered the emergency cases. Jim also taught a class to the nurses at St. Joe’s. When he developed cataracts he suspended his surgical practice and as result he established the “Arnot Medical Specialties” at the Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospital. His group became the first professional medical corporation in Elmira. He was also the physician for the Worker’s Compensation Board until his retirement. Jim is survived by his wife Joan Maurisse Gray; daughter Maurisse Taylor Gray with husband Salim Valimahomed and children Zahra Gray Mehta with husband Anand Mehta, and Azim Valimahomed; son James Graham Gray Jr. with wife Mary-Beth Gray and children, Evan Gray, James Graham Gray III, Elizabeth Kelleher and Matthew Kelleher; daughter Bonnie Gray Lindquist with husband David Lindquist, and children, Brian Lindquist and Taryn Lindquist: daughter Cecelia Gray Dupont Basilotto with husband Jim Basilotto, and children Nicole Gray Dupont, Christie Joan Dupont and Gino Basilotto. Jim is also survived by his remaining brother John Thomas Gray with his wife Doris, of Mattapoisett, MA. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of W. Water and Walnut Sts., on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the conclusion of calling hours. Military honors will take place after the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in his memory to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Road, Corning NY 14830. Special thanks go to Pam Bailey and Natalie Allen for the exceptional care and respect they showed to our father.

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