Obituary: Richard Gray

Richard Gray was described as a family man

Richard Gray was rarely happier than when playing hockey for the club he founded, watched by his family.

The Ipswich & East Suffolk Hockey Club was a passion for the father-of-two ever since he helped set it up in 1986.

And as his children, Adam, 11, and Ruby, grew up they often watched him play.

On 7 July, the tax accountant, 41, caught his usual train from his hometown Ipswich to London's Liverpool Street.

From there he took the Circle Line Tube to his office in Pall Mall but was never seen again.

'Subtle humour'

A statement from his family said: "He was a wonderful, loving father and an extremely loving, caring and sensitive husband to wife Louise."

Richard was a gentleman of modest disposition, charm, courtesy and subtle humour and above all he was a family man Fellow hockey club member

Mr Gray lived in Ipswich for most of his life, after moving to the town when he was eight years old.

He was a founding member of the hockey club in 1986, the start of a close friendship with many others who shared his love of the sport.

One leading member of the club said: "Richard was a gentleman of modest disposition, charm, courtesy and subtle humour and above all he was a family man."

'Hard-working'

As a member of the club's 3rd or 4th XI teams, he was also regarded as a pacy midfield or forward with an eye for goal.

A statement released by FW Smith Riches and Co said Mr Gray had worked with them for five years.

It said: "He was both well-liked and well thought of by partners and staff alike, hard-working, conscientious and always ready to stop whatever he was doing and help out.

"Richard has always made a lot of time for the clients, happy to talk to them about all sorts of concerns as well as their financial affairs."

Many of Mr Gray's clients had contacted the company to express their sympathy, the statement said.