At the end of the 19th century in a small Nova Scotia village, a boy was born who would go on to become among the pioneers of the North American laundromat enterprise. His story was much richer than that of a successful businessman. Herbert Stewart Gray lived an exemplary life of faith, generosity, perseverance, stewardship, focus and loyalty. Through decades of hard work and perseverance, he built a company that provided him the resources and wisdom to invest in others. This book is the story of Herbert Stewart Gray, husband of Leta, father of none, friend of many. I wrote his story on behalf of the humble men and women who live simply and strive toward the common good. Their stories are seldom told. H. Stewart Gray’s self-deprecating nature, his formidable drive, his high bar of excellence, his early-life risk-taking and his abiding faith will be an encouragement and a lesson for the book’s readers.