Robert L. Gregory

Robert Louis Gregory, 82, passed away at home with dignity and grace on May 24, 2026 with his wife and daughter by his side. Although burdened with cancer for two years, Bob never complained. He had such a positive and remarkable attitude throughout it all, even naming his lymphoma Ralph.

Bob is survived by the love(s) of his life: his wife and soulmate, Judith (Foran) Gregory (married for 50 years this June 5th) and their daughter and greatest pride, Katherine Rose Gregory. He’s also survived by his sisters-in-law, Bernice Gregory and Marge Foran; his brothers-in-law, Jeff Foran, William Brown, and George Faggiano; his cousins, Ricky Cejka, Marie Povinelli, and Linda O’Connor; his nieces, nephews, and their children; along with so many close friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, John Kay and Augusta Rose Gregory; step-father Joseph Dufresne, sister June, brothers John and Albert, sisters-in-law Babs, Pat Brown, Mary Faggiano and nephew Peter.

Born January 28, 1944 at the Acushnet Hospital, Bob lived in the north end of New Bedford until his family moved to Acushnet, where he lived until 1977 when he and Judy bought their home in East Freetown.

Bob graduated from New Bedford High School in 1962 where he was a 4-year member of ROTC and the Rifle Team. He attended New Bedford Institute of Technology and Bridgewater State College. In 1984, he graduated with his Associate’s degree from Bristol Community College. Bob enjoyed working as a civil engineer at Mass Highway for 43 years, where at the start of every week he’d say TGIM and every person knew he actually meant it. Bob also served with great pride in the U. S. Coast Guard Reserve for 22 years, where he obtained the rank of BMC.

Following in his brother Al’s footsteps, Bob learned to play the snare drum. He joined the Colonial Navy of Massachusetts of Fall River, MA and marched in his first parade in Dublin, Ireland in 1971 (He rejoined the CNM 10 years ago, and did his best to recruit anyone he had a conversation with). Bob joined Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums of Coventry, CT in 1973 where he met and fell in love with Judy. For many years, fife and drum was their life, with traveling back and forth to CT for practices and marching most every weekend. This was especially true in 1976 - made so much more special when Bob and Judy were married at what was lovingly called a fairy tale wedding.

Bob so loved being part of his St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church family. Over the years, he served as an acolyte, Sunday School teacher, senior warden, garden manager, property chair, and Eucharistic minister. His church family always meant so much to him, but most especially when they surrounded him 24/7 with love, prayers, and support at a time it was so needed.

Bob enjoyed being an extra-active member of Freetown’s Parade & Fireworks Committee, putting flags and bunting up everywhere in town (plus the 25 flags by the Gregory home), working at the fireworks fest and being the last to leave, and topping it all off by marching with his pride and joy(s) the next morning in the 4th of July parade. He also served as president of the NBHS Class of 1962 Reunion Committee and was looking forward to attending his 65th class reunion in 2027.

Bob so loved… playing his snare drum, anytime, anywhere (and offering to teach anyone of any age who would pick up a pair of sticks) - telling Jude he loved her more than a googolplex (look up the meaning) - gardening, especially his cherry tomatoes and cilantro for Kate - his Brudda Al - being a sharp dresser - dinners and hanging out with best friends Lynn & Archie and Rachelle & Gingie - baking and cooking - attending every one of Kate’s choral and theater performances - the color red - Oktoberfest and Christmas parties with “the kids” - his and Jude’s honor of being chosen as Standard Times Freetown’s Man & Woman of the Year - his precision eating of corn on the cob - bringing roses to Jude at work for all occasions - being so proud that he and Kate were both lefties - grinding coffee beans, a nice glass of wine, olives and nuts - figuring out how you were connected to him (his own 6 degrees of separation) - surprising Jude with her red canoe placed in the living room - belonging to the Metacomet Sports Car Club - taking Kate by train to Boston from New Bedford since his dad did the same with him - a good linguica and pepper pizza - all the great times spent together with Judy’s mom and dad - going to antique stores with Katie - playing double-double, this-this (including with strangers waiting in line at Disney World) - going on cruises - chewing his nails - treating Jude like a queen - seeing a car from CT and saying “hey, maybe you know them” - learning about his ancestry - always hearing Katie (as a toddler) whisper-calling him when she had a nightmare - fixing or sewing anything in need of fixing and having a good time doing it - always loving both his girls to the moon and back - and quite honestly, loving life 24/7.

Bob, Daddy, Bobby, Uncle Bob, Bobo, Mr. G, Bubby, Robert, Happy, Greg, Bobby Perfect, Pop-Pop, Sweet Baboo - he always answered with a smile to every name bestowed upon him. He was continuously upbeat, treated everyone with respect, and took pride in all he did. Bob was a gentleman, as well as a gentle man. Robert Louis Gregory was indeed loved by all.

Our thanks to Dr. Paggioli and Jen at St. Anne’s Oncology Center; Dr. Merryman and Wendy at Dana-Farber’s Oncology Center; medical staff at Brigham & Women’s, Alden Court, and Southcoast Health at Home & Hospice. We are honored to say each and every person who took care of Bob was a true angel to our family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, New Bedford, MA.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026 from 5-8 pm in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. A Requiem Eucharist will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 9:30 am in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 169 Belleville Rd., New Bedford followed by burial in Acushnet Cemetery.