Val E. Gray

Nassau – Val E. Gray, 77, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, Albany, NY after a brief illness.

He was the son of the late George Gray and Sarah Laurenzo Borgese. He was born in Colfax, Washington at the end of his father’s commitment to the US Army. Val lived his life in the New York Capitol District.

Val graduated from Averill Park High School, Hartwick College (Economics) and SUNY Empire State College (Sacred Music). He spent 3 years in alternate service to the US Military as an aide at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY. He traveled the country as a young man with the Christian performance group Covenant Players. He had a 30 + year career in civil service with New York State primarily at the NYS Department of Health retiring in 2008. Throughout his life Val was extremely active in the community. He had a lifelong passion for performing. He played many venues as a soloist and was an accomplished pianist and guitarist. He was very active in church choirs and performance choruses providing a beautiful tenor voice for over 55 years. He also enjoyed acting and directing in community theater. He made many friends from his time with the Sand Lake Center for the Arts among others. For many years, Val designed, created and sold Guitar Slinger Designs Jewelry throughout the Eastern US States. Val was a very devout Christian and spent many years involved with both the KAIROS prison ministry and EMMAUS communities. He also enjoyed many summers serving as Creativity Camp Director at the Methodist Church Skye Farm Camp. In his later years he became even more involved with the church dedicating his time to leading worship and culminating in becoming the appointed pastor at the Zion UCC Church in Taborton, NY. This position brought growth, joy, satisfaction and fulfillment to Val as he was able to serve that congregation in a meaningful way. Val was a loving son, a dedicated and always present brother, devoted uncle, supportive partner, admired colleague and friend to many. 

He was predeceased by his parents and partner of 13 years, Kathleen Verenini. Val leaves behind a loving sister, Carol (David Dedrick) Stacy, East Greenbush, NY, his brother Russell (Leigh Gray), St. Petersburg, FL, niece Danielle Stacy, East Greenbush, NY, nephews Maxwell Gray, Milwaukee, WI, Samuel Gray, Honolulu, HI and his lifelong friend James Miller, Averill Park, NY. 

The memorial service to celebrate Val and his life will be  on Saturday April 18, 2026 at 1PM at the Church of the Covenant in Averill Park which will be officiated by the Reverend Lori Buno-Taylor, Pastor and the Reverend Gretchen Elmendorf – Val’s mentor at the United Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in Val’s memory. We recommend using the brycefuneralhome.com website to share or send condolences, light a candle, view video or for service details.

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