By Meghan Colloton
On the feast day for the patron saint he was named after, Michael Gray, a Northeastern junior who died this past July, was remembered by friends, family and students who gathered in the Sacred Space on Sept. 29.
Gray, a junior history and political science major and one of only 12 recipients of the Presidential Scholarship in 2003, died on July 11 in his residence hall. He was 21.
Gray’s family invited a priest from their Catholic church in West Roxbury to welcome the guests to the memorial service with an opening prayer.
Several of Gray’s friends reflected on his life, as each speaker stood before an audience of family and friends, and a single candle flickered. The room had a low silver-plated ceiling, which reflected the flame of the candle and illuminated each of the speakers.
Gray’s mother, Barbara, and close friend and roommate, Michael Rolfes, put the memorial service together. Rolfes said they wanted to find a place that was peaceful and personal. He said the Sacred Space was much nicer than most other rooms on campus.
Rolfes retold a memorable story about their sophomore year together when the two friends added a new piece of furniture to Gray’s residence hall, a park bench from in front of one of the dining halls. The story was followed by laughter, as family and friends remembered Gray’s humor.
After a tearful remembrance by Gray’s friend and another roommate, Dan McCann, eyes became filled with tears as friends and family held one another’s hands for comfort.
“When I think of [Gray], I think of laughter. The times were so good,” said Chris Coletta, another of Gray’s friends from Northeastern.
He compared Gray to a powerful William Wallace in Braveheart (played by Mel Gibson). A short clip of Gibson with a blue-painted face in Braveheart was shown on a projection screen to add to his comparison.
After Gray’s friends spoke, all friends and family were encouraged to come and share memories of Gray’s life. Gray’s school friends, family friends and previous teachers spoke of his friendship and talents.
“I called him when I was really upset after I broke up with my boyfriend and [he helped] pack up the ‘boyfriend remainders.’ He was always there for me,” said a friend of Gray’s who is also a Northeastern student.
Throughout the ceremony, Gray’s mother sat in the front row of seats shaking her head in agreement as each friend and family member spoke about his life. As tears streamed down her face, she got to her feet and hugged and kissed each person that spoke on Gray’s behalf.
A rendition of “On Eagle’s Wings” was played and everyone sat in silent reflection. Gray’s mother could be heard weeping from the front row, as her sister, Gray’s aunt, consoled her by placing her arm around her.
The memorial service concluded with the musical selection, “America the Beautiful.” Friends and family joined hands and sat in the candlelight, reflecting on Gray’s life for one last moment.
