Nicholas George Greaves

Nicholas George Greaves passed away Friday, October 20 from complications of dementia and cancer. The Bel Air resident was 76 years old. A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mr. Greaves was the eldest son of a career Army veteran and fortunate enough to live in several states while growing up. After graduating from Pemberton High School in Burlington County, New Jersey, Mr. Greaves followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Army.

After three years of service, Mr. Greaves started working at a local healthcare organization, Blue Cross/Blue Shield in 1965 as the manager of public relations. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Greaves advanced in the ranks of Blue Cross/Blue Shield from manager to director, and then to vice president. At the time of his promotion, he was the youngest vice president at Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

In addition to his work at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Mr. Greaves was active in both national and local public relations organizations. He served as Chairman of the BCA-NABSP Eastern Division Advertising Sub-Committee and Vice Chairman of the Baltimore Public Relations Council.

He served on the Boards of Directors of several charitable organizations including: FACETS Boys Home, the Junior Achievement, and the Institute of Notre Dame. Among causes to which he was dedicated was the Senior Olympics. Through his efforts, the Senior Olympics expanded to Maryland and Blue Cross/Blue Shield became a major sponsor. Mr. Greaves was later inducted into the Senior Olympics Hall of Fame.

After 23 years, Mr. Greaves left Blue Cross/Blue Shield and became the president of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce. During his time there, he doubled the membership of the organization. In 1996, Mr. Greaves became the president of the Better Business Bureau of the State of Maryland, from which he retired in 2006.

A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Lynn Keene; daughter Mary Greaves Jones and husband Robert; son Nicholas Thompson Greaves and wife Erin; son Jason Aubrey Greaves and wife Beth; grandsons Jacob Nicholas Greaves and Samuel Francis Greaves; sister Lindsay Elizabeth Greaves; brother Patrick Robert Greaves; deceased brother Jeffrey Thompson Greaves; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Greaves was an avid reader and book collector, as well as a loyal fan of the Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Ravens. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and the St. John’s the Evangelist’s Parish Council.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home in Bel Air, Maryland, on Thursday, October 26th from 6-8 pm, and Friday, October 27th from 3-5 and 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. John’s the Evangelist in Hydes, Maryland on Saturday, October 28th at 11 am. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1850 York Road D, Timonium, MD 21093 or the American Heart Association, 217 E Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.