Obituary of Silas Garrett Gray

December 12, 2025

Silas Garrett Gray (“Garrett”)

December 23, 1938 - December 12, 2025

After demonstrating remarkable resilience and strength for seven years following a massive stroke, Silas Garrett Gray (“Garrett”), aged 86, of New Providence, NJ, died on December 12, 2025, in NYC at his assisted living residence, while enjoying breakfast. He was the loving husband of Florence, the proud father of Karen and Leslie, and the doting granddad of Corbin and Cooper.

Born on December 23, 1938, in Marshall, TX, Garrett worked incredibly hard throughout his life to achieve his goals. In 1955, Garrett was just the seventh African-American to graduate from St. Louis University High School (SLUH). After graduating from SLUH, Garrett earned an associate's degree at Harris College, St. Louis, MO; a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from UCLA (1960); a master's degree in Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (1966); and an MBA/JD from Harvard Business and Law Schools (1974).

From 1962-68, Garrett served in the U.S. Navy, with assignments as Education and Training Officer aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Oriskany; Assistant Communications Officer at the Naval Air Facility in Okinawa; Communications Officer aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Waddell; and Personnel Officer at the Naval Air Facility in Cam Ranh Bay. Garrett was honored for his military service with several awards, including the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal (four campaign stars), among others.

After earning his graduate degrees, Garrett continued to make his mark. Garrett excelled as an IRS revenue officer, IBM systems engineer, Assistant Treasurer at Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, Corporate Counsel at Pfizer, Inc., and Vice President & General Counsel at Minerals Technologies, Inc. (MTI). Along the way, Garrett readily earned the trust and respect of his colleagues as he offered a kind and steady presence, and modeled an exceptionally strong work ethic. Garrett was a genuinely valued member of all of his work communities.

Additionally, Garrett understood the importance of serving others. Prior to his stroke, with a generous spirit, Garrett contributed his time and expertise to several organizations. He actively participated in the Ignatian Volunteer Corps; was a Trustee at Meeting Essential Needs With Dignity, Inc. (MEND), an organization that provides food for those in need; and volunteered as a municipal court mediator and also as an AARP tax preparer (earning the TaxAide Fellow Award in 2017 for his long and distinguished service to the program in Union County).

SLUH’s 2018-2019 Gratitude Report described Garrett as “a trailblazer and model of what is possible, regardless of race, whose legacy of achievement and generosity will endure for future generations to admire and emulate.” These words so aptly characterize Garrett’s legacy.

Garrett is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Florence Rojean Gray (née Duncan); his children Karen Gray and Leslie Patterson (Greg); his twin grandsons Corbin and Cooper Patterson; his brothers Wilson G. Gray, Thomas (“Tommy”) L. Gray, and Morrison C. England, Jr. (Laura Moreno); his cousin Cassandra Flipper; and his nephew Jonathan P. England (Aurora). Garrett was preceded in death by his parents, Nelwyn Garrett England and Harrold Wilson Gray.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who supported Garrett in the last year and a half of his life - a special thanks to Deb whose dependable assistance assured holiday gatherings would be warm, fun loving, and celebrated together as a family; to the stellar women and men of Garrett’s assisted living residence who kept him occupied, happy, laughing and looking good; and to the fantastic private PTs, David and Sarah, who saw to it that he was physically fit and finally walking with assurance.

A private Roman Catholic burial with Military Honors was held at Green-Wood Cemetery. In lieu of donations, the family simply asks everyone to personally reach out and offer support to a friend, neighbor or stranger in need.