It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Darrin Gray (1966-2018). He passed away peacefully at the Centre Hospitalier de l\'Université de Montréal (CHUM) on July 18th. He fought a long battle against Huntington’s disease.Darrin is survived by his wife Madoka son Zachary and father Gerald (Wendy). Darrin was predeceased by his mother Gail (2004) and younger sister Heather (2015). Darrin was born in Saint John NB on April 28 1966 and spent ten years in Montreal as a young child before the family moved back to Saint John in 1977. He graduated from Saint John High School in 1984 where he made many close friends. He completed three years of Bachelor of Engineering study at the Royal Military College. He was then transferred to the University of New Brunswick to study Biochemistry where he found the love for life science. He graduated as the top student and continued on to the graduate school with the full scholarship. This is when he met the love of his life Madoka. Darrin also obtained Bachelor of Education and taught at Grand Manan high school for one year. Darrin and Madoka got married in 1993 and their son Zachary was born in 1994. The family moved to Vancouver BC in 1995. Darrin worked as a research assistant at the Biotechnology Laboratories (current Michael Smith Laboratories) at the University of British Columbia. Darrin started showing the symptoms of Huntington’s disease in 1997 and the diagnosis was confirmed in 1998. The prognosis was grim: progressive decline and no chance of cure. He was told that he might need 24-hour assistance in 10 years. The disease progressed slowly but surely. Yet he always kept the positive attitude fighting against the disease and adjusting to the new reality as much as he could. He remained relatively independent at home until recently and even enjoyed occasional beers (photo). The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at the Huntington’s Society of Quebec for the support since Darrin moved to Montreal in 2003. The family also wishes to thank the staff at the CHUM Neurology unit for the care and support for the past three weeks. Donations in Darrin’s memory may be made to Société Huntington du Québec 2300 boul. René-Lévesque O. Montréal Québec H3H 2R5. In Memoriam donation forms will be available at the viewing session. PRÉSENTATION / VIEWING Dimanche le 22 Juillet 2018 / Sunday July 22 2018 13h Accueil / 1:00 pm Welcome 16h Adieu / 4:00pm Farewell
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Pour Darrin Gray
