Ken Gray remembered as man who stood for the highest values

Mr Ken Gray, the former deputy editor of The Irish Times, who died last Monday, was remembered yesterday as a gifted but humble man who stood for the highest values and enriched many lives.

Speaking at a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Church, Glenageary, Co Dublin, the Archdeacon of Dublin, the Ven Gordon Linney, said Mr Gray lived and worked through times of momentous change, "but always upheld the values and principles that were important to him".

The Archdeacon said Mr Gray's "sense of higher things" was reflected in his love of painting and literature.

Amateur dramatics, the theatre, horse-riding and fly-fishing were among his many passions, he said. "Behind all there was a quiet, listening man, the integrity, the constancy and the loyalty and, when required, determination."

He noted that Mr Gray gave a lifetime of service to The Irish Times, "reporting to and informing countless readers".

The Archdeacon finished his reflection on Mr Gray's life by citing a verse in St John's Gospel which, he said, taught us "that the gifts we have admired and received in Ken have an eternal worth and value".

In an earlier tribute, Mr Niall Barry, who is married to Mr Gray's daughter, Sue, described his father-in-law as a man of great humility, who commanded respect in his home and in his business life. Mr Barry said in the 30 years he knew Mr Gray he never once heard him criticise another person.

"I count it as a privilege to have known him," he said.

Mr Gray's children read from the Bible and from a section of Saint Patrick's People, a book by Mr Gray's brother, Tony, the title of which had been conceived by Mr Gray.

In another part of the ceremony, a niece of Mr Gray, Ms Barbara Dagg, played a composition by Mendelssohn on the organ.

Among those in attendance were Prof David McConnell, chairman of the Irish Times Trust; Maj T.B. McDowell, president for life of the Irish Times Group; Mr Conor Brady, editor of The Irish Times; Ms Maeve Donovan, managing director of The Irish Times; Mr Louis O'Neill, former group chief executive; Mr Pat O'Hara, executive editor of The Irish Times; Ms Mary Maher, cathaoirleach of the Irish executive council of the National Union of Journalists; and many other former work colleagues and friends.

Mr Gray joined The Irish Times in 1944 as a trainee journalist and worked in various posts, including picture editor and television critic, before becoming deputy editor in 1978, a position he was to retain until 1991. He also served on the board of The Irish Times between 1978 and 1998.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel, daughters Linda and Sue, son Alan, brother Tony, sister Joan, and other relatives and friends.