Gray Aaron Forcey, 88, of Glen Burnie, MD, died on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, surrounded by this loving family. Gray was born in Philadelphia, PA, to his late parents, Burkett and Helen (Griffith) Forcey. He married his loving and steadfast wife, Barbara (Mosberg) Forcey on June 15, 1985.
As a young man in high school Gray was an avid wrestler, winning most of his matches and awarded the Varsity Symbol of the Patterson Park High School in March of 1953. He also attended Polytechnic High School taking more technical courses, as well as completing a challenging apprenticeship program that helped him towards his career of becoming a master machinist at Bethlehem steel for 45 years. Gray also enjoyed working with his hands in the area of fine carpentry, carefully crafting many pieces of beautiful, fine furniture; often that were cleverly designed to be multifunctional and space-saving, in short “Dandy!”
Gray had a zest for life and enjoyed many varied activities. Foremost, he was a reader, thinker and conversationalist. He enjoyed discussing topics from the deepest points of Biblical theology, the liveliest political debates, to endeavoring to fairly and equitably resolving inevitable family problems. Much of this shared Godly wisdom was accompanied by a hot cup of tea and a cookie or two with his listener who was left with much to think about. He also had a love for the sea and sailing adventures. Being an old salt, he was a member of North Point Yacht Club and owned a sailboat for many years. Some of the other activities he enjoyed included: bicycling, motorcycling, clogging and square dancing and most importantly singing in the church choir, often with solo parts in the Cantata. In recent years he was a proud member of his church choir and a member of the men’s quartet at Faith Community Church, where he and Barbara worshipped. Also noteworthy was that in his youth, he began a program at his church called “God’s Gang,” which was a teenage ministry focused on introducing teens from all walks to Jesus. His heart towards God was echoed in his favorite hymn, “How Great Thou Art.”
Like the patriarchs in the Bible, such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God had an anointing on Gray’s life, miraculously saving him amidst much turmoil of his youth. His Christian heritage would filter down from his children to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon him that fear him and his righteousness unto his children’s children…” (Psalm 103:17-18). Listed below is evidence of Gray’s Godly heritage, “Look unto Abraham your father…For I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.” (Isaiah 51:2)…
In addition to Barbara Forcey, Gray is survived by his children; Melissa (Thomas) Mignini, of Sparks, MD, Jennifer (Jack) Bradshaw, of Street, MD, Joanne (Grant) Horner, of Castaic, CA, Jeff (Ann) Forcey, of Delta, PA, Rebekah (Justin) Gans, of Valencia, CA, Christopher (Judy) Gray, of Owings, MD and Jonathan (Heather) Gray of Centerville, MD. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nathan, Justin, Amanda, Emily, Heather, Jacob, Caleb, Camille, Elias, Levi, Christian, Sophia, Seth, Josiah, Rachel, Lucas, Clay, Grace, Sara, Gabrielle, Naomi, Scarlett, Gretta, Hannah, Samuel and Lorelei, Ava, Braedon, Brooklyn, Savannah, Gabe, Lainey. In addition to his grandchildren, Gray is survived by 17 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Gray was predeceased by his first wife Mary Margaret Forcey, his son Bryan Gray Forcey, his brother John Forcey and his sister Joanne Hoenstein.
A funeral service will be held at Slateville Presbyterian Church, 308 Slateville Rd, Delta, PA on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. Revered Kenneth Osborne, Pastor of Slateville and Slate Ridge Presbyterian Churches will officiate. Interment will immediately follow the funeral in the church cemetery.