In Memoriam: 76-Year Shrewsbury Resident, Bill Gregg Jr., 100

Longtime Shrewsbury resident, Bill Gregg Jr., passed away peacefully on Aug. 8. He was 100.

A 76-year Shrewsbury resident, “Bill lived his life as a dedicated Christian attending Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank for nearly eight decades; but, more importantly, he set the example for his family as to how someone can humbly live by Christian principles. He would go out of his way to help others, never expecting anything in return.

“He had a great sense of humor and an incredible work ethic. He was a frequent visitor to the local library. If there was something he didn’t know how to do, he would research it and implement what he learned. He was a master of plumbing, electric work, woodworking and auto mechanics.

“He was and still is, a role model for us all. Every one of his family members will miss him terribly but rejoice knowing he is sitting in the Kingdom of God and finally reunited for eternity with the woman who helped him create this wonderful family.”
Loved ones of Bill Gregg Jr. in his obituary

Bill was born in New York City to William E. Gregg Sr. and Nellie Herbert Gregg. He grew up on a farm bordering Route 9 in Toms River and graduated from Toms River High School in 1943. He met and married the love of his life, Gertrude Owens of Island Heights, NJ, in 1944, fondly known as Trudy. They were married for 59 years before Trudy passed away in 2004.

Bill worked for the NJ Bell Telephone Company for 41 years and survived the breakup of the telephone company and the creation of the “baby bells,” retiring from Verizon as a switchman in Red Bank.

“He would tell anyone who would listen that he spent his early years in the telephone company climbing poles and installing phones, back in the day when all phones were tethered by a wire to a wall in your house.”

Bill was predeceased by his parents and his older sister, Helen Kearns of Toms River. There must have been some magic to working on a farm as his Dad lived to 98 years of age and his sister made it to 97!

He leaves behind to honor his legacy: a son, William E. Gregg III, and his wife, Mary of Wantage; and a daughter, Diana Mielech, and her husband, Robert of Middletown; five grandchildren, Holly Gregg, of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, Amber Turgeon, of Sebec, ME, David Mielech, of Irmo, SC, Kerri Eger, of Howell, and Daniel Mielech, of Marietta, GA; and 10 great-grandchildren, William, Daniel, Annabelle and Wally Turgeon, of Sebec, ME, Joseph and Elvie Eger, of Howell, Gregory and Olivia Mielech, of Irmo, SC, Noelle Gregg, of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, and Aidan Bleakley, of Port Jervis, NY.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701. A service is set for Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Day’s.

Memorial Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, NJ.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home