Joseph C. Gregory

It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our father Joseph Carmine Gregory of Pinehurst, NC. Dad was born April 9, 1930 to Joseph & Anna Gregory of Bronx, NY. Dad graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in 1948. In July of 1951, Dad married the love of his life, Elizabeth “betty” Smith prior to serving his country in the Korean War. Dad rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class in the field artillery battalion unit. He was cited with the Korean Bronze Service Medal with three service stars and the United Nations medal, prior to his honorable discharge in 1953.

Upon returning from Korea, dad worked alongside his father in the family glass business; Elton Glass and Shade. Dad and mom moved to Nanuet in 1955 and eventually moved the family glass business to Spring Valley in 1967 under the new name Artistic Mirror and Glass. Dad ran the business until 1990 before retiring and passing it on to his son Michael.

Dad invested his time and resources as a leader in his church and community. Dad volunteered thousands of hours at St. Anthony’s ranging from running bingo teams to Ushering at the Shrine church for over 20 years. He was a member of the Parish Council and founding member of the St. Anthony building committee which raised funds for the Parish church. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus council in both NY and NC.

As a community leader, Dad joined the Nanuet Rotary Club in 1968 and served as president in 1975. He was a leader in Rotarian activities that helped fund many community projects and college scholarships for high school seniors.

Dad fostered the early years of growth of the Nanuet Little League in numerous roles from coach and manager of the Mighty Pirates to board representative. He inspired many young ball players to “do their best and no matter their skill level, all kids played equal time in a game”.

Dad picked up the game of golf in early 1970’s and made it a family experience from that point forward with many vacations in Thendara, NY teaching all the kids to play golf and most importantly, golf etiquette.

Upon his retirement in 1990, Dad & Mom were blessed to travel the world with friends and family as well as hone their golf game at some of the country’s best courses before building a home and setting up residence in Pinehurst, NC. They were members of Pinehurst Country Club for 27 years and Dad was skilled with carding four Holes-in-One at several of the courses.

Mom predeceased Dad on May 5, 2012 after nearly 61 wonderful years of marriage. Dad is survived by his children Joseph and his wife Suzanne of Warwick NY, Michael and his wife Kathy of Nanuet, John and his fiancé Naomi Raynor of Haverstraw, NY and his “princess” Mary Seewald and her husband William of Campbell Hall NY. His is blessed with seven grandchildren: Brianna, Jessica, Geena, Lyndsay, Katie, William and Julia.

Dad is survived by his brothers Dr. Robert Gregory and Anthony Gregory and his sister Marie Monaco and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The wake will be held Sunday March 25th at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY with viewing hours from 2:00 – 7:00 followed by a Christian burial mass at St. Anthony’s on Monday morning at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Nanuet Rotary Scholarship Fund in the name of Joseph Gregory.

We would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst for the love and care they so deeply showed to dad.

Dad lived life to the fullest and left this earth on his terms. Dad thank you for all you gave to your family, country, friends and community. We love and will miss you.