'John R. Gray Auditorium' Dedicated

John Gray had his name linked forever on Saturday morning, May 11, to Barrington High School.

At a brief and emotional ceremony, the auditorium was dedicated to the former principal at the school who died last fall. Gray served as principal for 29 years before stepping down in 2009.

A plaque now hangs on a wall outside the entrance to the auditorium, which now is known officially as the John R. Gray Auditorium. 

His wife, Cheryl, unveiled the plaque and the lettering on an overhang to the entrances to the facility before applause and smiles by the approximate 100 people to attend the ceremony.

The auditorium was selected as a tribute to Gray because it is a spot that was near and dear to this heart. 

“He attended every concert and every play,” said Superintendent Michael Messore, who worked under Gray for many years at the high school. "He usually stood at the back keeping an eye on things." 

But the auditorium  holds even deeper meaning, Messore said.

“He greeted thousands of students and their parents for the first time there,” he said. “And with arms crossed, he would greet students in the lobby of the auditorium every morning and John would end the day in the same position.” 

School Committee member Patrick Guida, a longtime friend and colleague, said: “The auditorium was his baby. It was very important to him that students have a place dedicated to those types of opportunities.”

Guida also referred to a separate plaque in the high school lobby in sight of the auditorium. It recognizes all those school officials who worked to renovate the high school under the watch of guidance of Gray in the 1990s.

“Thank you for sharing John with us for 30 years,” Guida told his wife and daughter, Michelle, who were in the audience. 

See the unveilings above.