Tributes have poured in for a kind and loving grammar school teacher who "personified everything that was good about a person."
Father-of-two Matthew Gray taught history and modern studies at Musselburgh Grammar School in East Lothian. Head teacher Jodie Hannan confirmed the passing of the much loved teacher in a post on her Twitter channel on July 6.
It read: “We are incredibly sad to let you know that Mr Gray has passed away. He was the best of men, and will be terribly missed by everyone @mgsonline. He was a pleasure to know and work with. There will be a celebration of his life organised by pupils at 6pm on Tues 11 July at school.”
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Those behind the organised tribute event have asked that attendees wear Hibs tops or green to honour the teacher. Mr Gray was described as 'always up for a laugh' and ‘one of the most down to earth people anyone could meet.’
The organisers shared on Facebook: “I’m sure all who knew Mr (Matthew) Gray would agree that he genuinely was one of the most down to earth people anyone could meet! The impact he had on pupils both past and present is outstanding. Whether he was having a good day or a rubbish one, he was always up for a laugh.
“The stories this man had he could go on for a lifetime! His energy allowed for a safe space and his guidance is something that I'm sure will stick with people for years to come and is definitely something that will be sorely missed by many. In his memory, pupils from Musselburgh Grammar would love it if as many as possible could meet outside the front entrance at 6pm on Tuesday the 11th of July where balloons in green and white (to honour his beloved hibs!!) will be released.
“If possible it would be class if people could wear hibs tops or even just green.”
Mr Gray was an avid youth football coach in his spare time with local club Whitehill Welfare, where he is believed to have coached the under 20s. The club described him as a ‘great footballing person’ and said that he was ‘one in a million.’
On their club site, they shared: “It goes without saying that everyone at the Club is devastated with the sudden and tragic passing of our under 20s head coach Matthew Gray. Matt was a great footballing person, he'd talk at great length to anyone about football - from his Under 20s side to his beloved Hibs!
“But more than that, Matt was just a genuinely great guy. He personified everything that was good about a person - fair, approachable, funny, kind. Everybody who had the pleasure of knowing him will testify that he was one in a million and will be terribly missed by us all.
“Matt was known to us at the club before he became our under 20s head coach. He was at most games at Ferguson Park to watch his nephew play, Fyn Connor, and he'd had a lot of previous coaching experience with his school (Musselburgh Grammar) and local boys clubs. So when we were looking to bring someone in, asking Matt was a no-brainer. Unfortunately, he said no!
“Matt was a big family man and ultimately felt the role would consume too much of his time. However, I kept in dialogue with him and asked again a week or so later - he still wasn't sure! It was close to the start of pre-season, and there weren't many signed players.
“After giving it more thought, he finally agreed to come in and take the team on, and we were all delighted with that. With not a lot of time to get players in and get games organised, through his sheer determination, Matt managed it and went on to have a really good first season.
“He loved coaching these players to make them better, but along with his teaching job, there was also the element of making them all better people. His day job was as a teacher at Musselburgh Grammar, where he was a well-respected teacher, liked by staff and pupils alike. His school football team won the Lothian Schools Senior League in 2018, which is something Matt was extremely proud of. The loss at school will be as keenly felt as here.
“On a personal level, Matt was a sounding board for me over the last few years, and we spent a lot of time talking and discussing all things football. Even recently, when he clearly wasn't well, he would take a call from me when he was able to.
“I just hope he knew how much that meant to me and how much he meant to everyone generally. He is survived by wife Karen and daughters Heidi and Gracie.
“His mum Shiela is also a popular figure at Ferguson Park and our thoughts and love go out to them all, and his wider family and friends. They will always be welcome at Whitehill Welfare.
“In time, the Club will announce a fitting tribute to Matt. Rest In Peace, pal.”
A link to the organised tribute on the evening of Tuesday July 11 can be found here.
