Peter Gray Friend of Education Award
This award was designed to recognize others who have given so much to the care and education of our children. Anyone wishing to assist AEFI’s mission may name an individual as a Peter Gray Friend of Education by making a tax-deductible contribution of $500 to the Amesbury Educational Foundation, Inc. Nominations are accepted at any time throughout the year, but must be received no later than September 8, 2008.
Nominees do not need to be current or even past residents of Amesbury. Any person or group that has had a positive impact on your own educational life or that of a special interest group may be nominated by you.
Online Contributions: For your convenience, you may make your contribution of $500 or more online by clicking the Donate button below. When the “Review Payment” page comes up, please click the box that says “Special instructions to Seller,” and be sure to include your name and address, and the name of the person you are honoring.
Contribute By Check: If you prefer to send your contribution by mail, enclose your check made payable to the Amesbury Educational Foundation, Inc., and include the name of the honoree.
Recipients are recognized every year at the Annual Wine and Beer Tasting Fundraiser in September, and receive a certificate and lapel pin. In subsequent years, all recipients are documented in the Annual Report.
About Peter Gray
Peter Gray was truly a “friend to education.” Peter served twice on the Amesbury School Committee from the 1980s until the early 90s. During that time he was the chairman as well as a member. It was during this time that a school committee member saw a need for the establishment of an educational foundation. In 1981, the Amesbury Educational Foundation, Inc. (AEFI) was created, and Pete soon became involved in the organization. He was a member, a board member and an officer of this organization until his death.
AEFI wasn’t the only innovative venture of Peter Gray. In the late 70’s he coached the seven and eight year-olds in Minor League baseball, a forerunner to T-Ball. He was an active Rotarian and helped organize Amesbury Youth Rotary Basketball League (AYRBall) of which he was a charter member. Pete also helped build a branch of First and Ocean Bank within Amesbury High School. The bank branch thrives at the school to this day because of Pete’s efforts.
His contributions to education and the quality of our schools were recognized by the then Amesbury Chamber of Commerce in 1994 when they named Peter Gray the Citizen of the Year.
Is it any wonder when asked to comment on their father, his son said, “Dad was a well-rounded citizen. He was a banker, farmer, baseball coach, school committee member, husband and father. He had friends of both collars and didn’t have a bad hook shot when he felt the need to show it.” His daughters used these words, “honest and true to oneself, perseverance, creative, able to bring together disparate opinions, ideas and agendas.”
Friends, neighbors and colleagues characterized Pete as a loyal friend and mentor. He cared deeply for his family and the “community family.” Pete saw the good in everyone. “He’s the kind of person who, when gone, leaves a great void in all the places he touched.”
