It is with deep regret that Newport County Radio Club announces that Dirmid, K1UFD, passed away on Friday January 6th. Dirmid was an active member of the club, always offering a helping hand to setup our events. In his radio life, he volunteered for many public service events, such as the Tour de Cure, and he participated in many on-air communication drills supporting Narragansett and South Kingstown EMAs. His obituary has been posted below.
Dirmid I. Gray, 72, of Narragansett, passed away unexpectedly on Friday. He was the beloved husband of Janet (Murchie) Gray. Born in South Kingstown, he was a son of the late William E. “Bub” and Ethel M (Wright) Gray. He was a graduate of South Kingstown High School. He served proudly and honorably in the US Air Force during the Vietnam Era. Mr. Gray retired from Sulzer Process Pumps of Easley, SC as a System Administrator. He was a life member of the Narragansett Steam Fire Engine Company # 1 of Peace Dale and the New England States Veteran Firemen’s League, and veteran member of the former South County Ambulance & Rescue Corp, and a member of the Newport Company Radio Club-Ham Radio sign K1UFD. Mr. Gray also volunteered his time with the Narragansett Emergency Management Agency, the Portsmouth EMA Communications Team, and the Southern RI Volunteer CERT Team, and the Peer to Peer Counselor for the Union Fire District. Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter, Jody Ann Gray of Marblehead, MA; a brother, Jereld Gray and his wife Edythe of West Hartford, CT and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday 10 am in St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours will be held in the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Wednesday, 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Animal Rescue RI, PO Box 458, Wakefield, RI 02882.