Vincent E. "Earl" Gray, 86, of East Brady died Sunday at the Clarion Hospital.

Born Dec. 13, 1919, in Phillipston, Clarion County, he was the son of Charles S. and Lettie M. Greenawalt Gray.

He had been a councilman in East Brady and helped the East Brady Water and Sewage Authority obtain grants.

A 1939 graduate of East Brady High School, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps for one year. From 1940 to 1980, he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Penn Central Railroad and Conrail. He began his career with the railroads as a fireman on old steam engines and eventually become an engineer on diesel engines.

He was a 47-year member of the Baker Street Church of God, Rimersburg, where he taught Sunday school and Bible study. He also was a trustee for many years, led the men's fellowship group, was financial secretary and served as an usher for the church. He was known as the "Candyman" at the church because he always had candy in his pockets to give out when he greeted people.

Mr. Gray also belonged to the F&AM Lodge 277, Clarion, Coudersport Consistory and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Surviving are his wife, Harriet F. "Faye" Conner Gray, whom he married Dec. 2, 1942; two daughters, Mrs. Harold (Gail Ann) Robinson of East Brady and Mrs. James (Sharon) Magnani of Bradys Bend; a son, Samuel E. Gray and his wife, Cindy, of Oil City; and two sisters, Mrs. Marion McGinnis of Hyannis Port, Mass., and Mrs. Louise Adams of Shreveport, La. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded by a brother, a sister and a grandson.

<B>GRAY </B>— Friends of Vincent E. "Earl" Gray, who died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>Charles B. Buechele Funeral Home</B>, 105 Fourth St., East Brady. Visitation also will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Baker Street Church of God, Rimersburg, where services will follow at 10 a.m. with the Rev. H. Michael Kennedy officiating. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Conneration.