Gregg Robert Aversa

Gregg was born in Old Forge in 1933 to the late Anthony and Theresa Gentile Aversa. After graduating from Old Forge High School, he attended Syracuse University. After serving honorably in the Army, he finished his degree at Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He continued his studies at New York University, completing graduate courses in Education Administration. Gregg started his professional career in the New York City school system, working both for the Board of Education and as a grade school teacher. He was a dedicated leader of Pennsylvania poverty programs in the Scranton and Shafer administrations.

Gregg began his entrepreneurial adventures in 1982 by founding Computer Learning Network, a private business school. His professional career culminated in his most successful venture in 1989, when he founded The Sage Corporation, which he built into one of the country’s leading networks of over 25 truck driving schools in more than 15 states. Gregg was highly respected as an innovative leader in the CDL training sector, and he was particularly proud of the thousands of lives improved by Sage’s training. Gregg was immensely grateful to those loyal and caring employees who supported him and Sage’s success.

Gregg poured as many resources into the community as he did his professional life. He was a longtime active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and devoted countless hours over many years volunteering at Good Shepherd School. He was a proud member of the West Shore Country Club for decades, serving on the executive board for many years and as president in 2009. Additionally, he was an active board member of the Fredericksen Library, the Urban League, and served on many other government and non-profit boards and associations.

If he was surrounded by his family, Gregg always had the biggest smile. He was an incredibly special husband, father, uncle, brother, and grandfather. Known to his five grandchildren as “Pop Pop,” he never missed a sports game, talent show, birthday party, or family gathering. Gregg adored his entire extended family, spending as much time as possible with them. He had many close friends whom he loved dearly, enjoying parties, travel and celebrations over the years with them. Gregg enjoyed watching and participating in sports, and he thrived on the ski slope and tennis court for the majority of his life. If he needed to unwind, you would find him in the front of an easel with a paintbrush and watercolor palette in hand. Gregg never, ever, missed the opportunity for a sweet treat after a meal.

Gregg was finally reunited with his loving wife, Elizabeth “Bette” Aversa, parents Anthony and Theresa Gentile Aversa, and all seven of his siblings: brothers Ross, Joseph, James and Richard Aversa; and sisters Ann Calabrese, Marie Tomasetti, and Rosemarie Brown, all of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter Jill, and son-in-law Chris Thropp, of Mechanicsburg, his daughter, Amy, of New York City, and his grandchildren, Kelsey, Christian, William, Andrew and Alexandra, as well as many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to his devoted caregivers, Jennine, Kevin, Harry and Mike, for providing such loving care to Gregg.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church; 400 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, on Monday June 1st at 11:00am, with a visitation from 10:00am to 11:00am prior to Mass. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seven Sorrows School in Middletown, Trinity High School in Camp Hill, or the Midwest Food Bank.