Michael "Mike" Robert Gregory's Obituary
87, was peacefully called home by our Lord on December 26, 2024. Born on May 7, 1937, in Staten Island, NY, Mike grew up in the South Beach section of Staten Island, where he attended St. John’s Villa Academy and Curtis High School. During his time in high school, Mike played football and was very involved with the Civil Air Patrol. After high school, Mike joined the United States Air Force in 1956 and was stationed at Lincoln Air Force Base as a member of the Strategic Air Command Unit. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force as an Airman 1st Class in 1962. Following his time in service, Mike moved to New Jersey and began working as a laboratory assistant at Staten Island Community College (now known as the College of Staten Island); eventually working his way into the role of Adjunct Professor of Photography and Photojournalism. He was the proprietor of the Michael R. Gregory Studios of Creative Photography and was a member of the National Press Photographer’s Association, where he worked as a campaign photojournalist for Assemblyman Jack Murphy. During this time, Mike was also a Boy Scout Troop Leader, was an original member of the 4WD Club of Staten Island, the Staten Island Sports Car Club, and became part-owner of the South Shore Country Club. He was also an avid outdoorsman: he cherished his many hunting and fly-fishing trips and enjoyed boating and saltwater fishing. Following his retirement from the City University of New York in 1992, Mike and his family relocated to New Port Richey, FL, where he enjoyed retired life. Later in life, he also enjoyed coaching high school football at both River Ridge and Tampa Catholic High Schools, where he positively impacted many of those who played for him. He was a devoted parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and was proud to chair the church’s Social Justice Committee. Despite his health issues as he got older, Mike was a fighter until the very end. Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Louis C. and Mildred Gregory, and his two older sisters, Dolores Restaino and Dorothy Caruso. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Nina, his children, his granddaughters, and many extended family and dear friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at Trinity Memorial Gardens Funeral Home (12609 Memorial Dr., Trinity, FL 34655) from 4-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10:30am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (8320 County Road 54, New Port Richey, FL, 34653). Burial ceremonies and a reception will be held at Trinity Memorial Gardens Cemetery following the conclusion of the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Michael’s name to the “Tunnel to Towers Foundation” at www.t2t.org.
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