On his way home from a week with family on Cape Cod, Lester Elmer Gregory of Sidney, aged 100 an one-half, died. Les was born in 1923 to Julia (Hoyt) and William Gregory of Walton.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Virginia (Fuller) Gregory, and his much loved wife, Beverly (Preston) Gregory of 17 years; his brothers Wilber and Robert Gregory, and his sisters Lillian Wischhusen and Thelma Schriver, as well as many lifelong friends.
Les is survived by his daughters Dianne Gregory (Ralph Rincones) of South Orleans, Mass., Cheryl (David) Bryan of Orleans Mass.; stepchildren Ed (Jane) Andrews of Endwell and Gladys (Dean) Frazier of Walton; grandchildren Galen, Liam, Erin, Jodi and Tyler; great-grandchildren Aya and Nami; Lillian, Phineas, and Aurora; James; Jack and Max; Matteo, Tyler, and Ben. Les also had several angels helping him stay at home: Charlie and Lynda Washburn, Bonnie Scanlon, Michele Morgan, Jessica Decker, and Joan and Tony Barber plus other thoughtful neighbors and friends.
Les enjoyed serving his family, community and country. He served in the Army Air Corps in Word War II, the Air Force Reserve during Korea, and the Air National Guard during Vietnam, retiring as a Major in the U.S. Air Force. He retired at age 62 from Tri-Town Agency which he had founded and co-owned, and while traveling directly thereafter, Les suffered a major heart attack damaging 75% of his heart.
Les voluntarily participated in so much. He was a firefighter in Walton, Bainbridge and Sidney his entire adult life, and stopped going to fires at age 75. He was a member of the Delaware County Arson Task Force, and served as the county fire coordinator for ten years. He is a life member of the state fire chaplains association and the state Academy of Fire Science. Les served on the town board and Otschodela Council of BSA for decades. He also was a Rotarian, a member of VFW, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, and a charter member of the Sidney BPOE. He was chair of the Sidney Republican Committee and served on the Sidney Veterans Memorial Committee.
Les loved life and was always “doing.” He could identify make and model of planes flying over, and even did a little barnstorming after Word War II. He had the greenest of thumbs. He saved every seed that was savable to acclimate it to his garden. His asparagus patch is still wonderfully bountiful, intermingled with sweet pea and morning glories that come back year after year. Les was diligent and meticulous. When someone called him stubborn, though, he quietly countered, “I like to think I’m determined.” And he was.
Calling hours were Thursday, Nov. 30, 5-7 p.m. at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel and the funeral Friday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m., at the United Methodist Church, both in Sidney. The burial followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery, with refreshments following at the church.
Donations may be made in Les’s name to the Sidney Fire Department or the animal shelter of one’s choice.
Share condolences and memories with the family online at www.landersfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.
