Bertram A. Gay.

Bertram A. Gay was born August 21, 1940 in Wales, the second child of the (late) Florence Bowman  & Bertram A. Gay. He was the beloved husband for 49 yrs to Dorothy Kelly Gay. Devoted father of Geraldine Barker and her husband Tim of Pawling, New York, and Donald Gay and his wife Lisa of Somerville, MA. Brother of Doreen Coombe and her husband Donald of Christchurch, England. Loving Boppa of Timmy, Evan, Shannon, Melissa and Brian. Cherished godfather of Louise Noonan. Also survived by many nieces and nephews in England, Ireland, and Dubai.

Upon graduating high school, Bert entered a 5-year apprenticeship with the British Navy working on the H.M.S. Chatham Kent as a pipefitter. He then settled on his career as a skilled machinist. His life changed forever when, at an English dancehall in 1963, he met the love of his life, Dorothy A. Kelly, a nursing school student. After marriage and just over a year later, they welcomed their first child, Geraldine, into the world, the birth of their second child, Donald, however, led to health complications that only the renowned Children’s Hospital in Boston could remedy. Without hesitation, the young family embarked on a new life in the New World.  Within days of arrival in the U.S., Bert started a job with W.R. Grace & Company in Cambridge, MA. Shortly after taking the job, in June of 1968, Bert and family moved into a furnished apartment in Somerville. Dorothy started employment as a nurse, and the Gay family was living the American Dream. While working at W.R. Grace, Bert became active in his union, the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 1596 out of Framingham, MA.  He was elected shop steward for Local 1596 while employed at the Gaulin Corporation in Everett.  One of his cherished roles with the UAW was to introduce political candidates who were seeking endorsement to the union leadership   Bert and Dorothy proudly became U.S. Citizens in 1977, but even before being eligible to vote, Bert was actively campaigning  for various local, state, and federal candidates–something he continued to do with steadfast loyalty and devoted principle for the remainder of his life.

There was no candidate that Bert was more proud, supportive, or worked harder for than his wife. He tirelessly journeyed side-by-side through campaigns for Somerville School Committee, Governor’s Council, Lieutenant Governor, and Mayor of Somerville. He was her top advisor, chief consultant, seasoned strategist, unrivaled troop motivator, loving, loyal husband, and best friend. Theirs was a bond that only a fortunate few will ever know. When you saw Bert in the Red Crown Victoria, code-named “GC-6”, you had better be ready for action! His litmus test was your support for his wife. If you demonstrated that, you could do no wrong! In addition to his political activism, Bert was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren whom he considered his pride and joy.  Bert died July 24, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Facing his situation with typical aplomb, he cheerfully attended to his duties during the many long and debilitating procedures that followed. He downplayed his condition with self-deprecating humor, stating his chemotherapy treatments saved on his haircut bills. Throughout his ordeal, he maintained his public demeanor with style and grace, still meeting his friends, attending lodge meetings, and going out to dinner with Dorothy at his favorite restaurant, The Independent.  Bert was an active member of the King Solomon Masonic Lodge and UAW Local Union 1596.

Bert’s family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care both physical and emotional provided to him by his doctors, nurses and everyone he met at MGH. His family will be forever grateful.

Calling hours are at George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville, Monday, July 29, 2013, from 4PM-8PM. Funeral procession from Doherty Funeral Home, Tuesday morning at 10am followed by a Funeral Service at Story Chapel located at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge at 11am. Relatives and friends invited. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bert’s memory to the Mt. Auburn Hospital Development Office, 330 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 or The Hopes Program c/o Mass General Development Office, 165 Cambridge St. Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.