ROCKLAND — Calvin A. "Sharkey" Gray, 70, died March 30, 2013, at his home, after an extended illness.

He was one of 16 children born to Percy Gray and Eneeda Ford Nystrom-Gray in Rockland June 16, 1942. He was educated in Rockland schools.

June 16, 1942, he married Alice Jeanette Dodge in Rockland. The couple later moved to Massachusetts, where they resided for a time before returning to Thomaston. They lived in Thomaston most of their married lives. Mrs. Gray died March 16, 2001.

For several years, with his son Michael, Sharkey owned and operated Gray & Son Rubbish Removal Service. In conjunction with that business, one of his pastimes was recycling scrap metal.

Sharkey's pastimes were gardening and raising animals. He had many much loved family pets over the years.

He especially loved Kay's dandelion greens.

Other than his wife, Sharkey was pre-deceased by several brothers and sisters. He is survived by two sons, John A. Gray and his wife, Lisa, of Warren, and Michael S. Gray of Rockland; one daughter, Sheri Gray of Rockland; one sister, Ida Sulivain; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Drinkwater, Shawn C Gray and his wife, Mallory, Nicholas Andrew Gray, Chelsea Gray and Willow Gray; one great-grandchild, Wyatt Gray; as well as several brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Tuesday, April 9, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. The Rev. Joseph LaCombe will officiate. Interment will be at a later date at Achorn Cemetery in Rockland.

To share a memory or story with Sharkey's family, visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established to assist the family with expenses at Calvin "Sharkey" Gray, c/o Mary Wiebe, Camden National Bank, P. O. Box 880, Rockland, ME 04841.