Daniel Gray

On January 17th, 2022, Daniel Blaise Gray of Erie, PA, ditched us all to deal on our own with politics, the Supreme Court, and global warming, noting that he “couldn’t possibly stick around anymore when Bernie isn’t president.” The youngest son of his loving mom, Mary Golba, and father, Robert Gray, Dan embodied strength, resilience, and kindness, bound in a quirky sense of humor completed by his infectious laugh. When told three years ago that his latest glioblastoma was inoperable, Dan forged on with radiation and chemotherapy, and rocked a beanie like no one else.

Dan loved basketball, cooking, history, music, and shared his love of Brian Jacques novels with his beloved brother, David, who also left us far too early. Both Dan and David inherited Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, which causes way too many cancers for one family to deal with. We imagine they’re shooting hoops and playing street hockey in heaven.

Despite suffering from seizures and having to undergo surgeries, Dan graduated from Mercyhurst Preparatory School on time with the rest of the class of 2015 because he was just that stubborn. His teachers remember him as kind and quick witted. Dan attended Allegheny College to learn Ancient Near-Eastern Mythology and computer science before illness, surgeries, and treatment interfered with life-long plans.

Dan was a connoisseur of the finer things in life: eclectic music, good cheese, bad movies, and Japanese culture and anime. His favorite series were Cowboy Bebop (not the Netflix version!) and Trigun, though he also made time to create absurd characters and “Dantopia” in video games like Crusader Kings, Baldur’s Gate, and Civilization. We willingly endured his taste in bad movies and Kolchak reruns with love.

Dan relished his role as protective little brother to his sister, Karen—the running joke being that he was “little” in words only, 6’4” to her 5’2”. Dan was always there for her. Enigmatically watching over Karen, eternally serving as her logical sounding board to listen and laugh through Karen’s “ever so dramatic” life stories. Karen will forever cherish childhood memories—neighborhood sports with her two little brothers, running around until the street lights came on.

Dan leaves behind his mother and sister, Mary Golba and Karen Gray, Karen’s fiancé Brian Colvin, his father Bob Gray, as well as his wonderful Nonna, Anita Golba; uncles Andy, Greg, Jamie, Paul Joe; aunts Denise, Margot, Kerry; and many loving cousins. Dan wanted to remind cousins Sam And Nick to play Pictionary in his memory! He will be forever missed by his beloved friends and additional “sisters”, especially Luke Holland, Libby Federici, and Kellie-Sue, Morgan, and Rhiannon Martinucci, who will remember him fondly as “Blond Elvis” and “Dag”.

Dan’s Memorial Day of Remembrance is planned for August 6, 2022 at Burch Farms, Northeast, PA.  Please visit www.forevermissed.com/daniel-b-gray to share condolences and memories of Dan.  Arrangements are under the care of Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. Downtown, 602 W. 10^th St., Erie.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory may be made to the Daniel B. Gray Memorial Fund, C/O Northwest Savings Bank, 2863 West 26th Street, Erie PA 16506.