Greg never missed my birthday in the 25+ years I knew him.  He loved debating sports teams and was kind to all.  He will be so very missed. ❤️🙏

May god bless Greg. It was an honor to have Greg as one of my first ever Campers. I remember I promised to see him in 2021 next summer. He will be there guiding us. He will be missed. 

Like so many others from Camp Sunshine & Camp Snowflake, Joanne and I were deeply saddened by the news of Greg's passing. Greg, like so many of our special needs campers, as well as those in long term care facilities, are so much more susceptible to serious complications resulting in death from COVID-19. However, their lives are just important as anyone else's, as most everyone realizes.

Greg was number 2 of 3 people we knew that lost their battles to the virus. (There was almost a number 4, but he just won his battle.. barely.) Jo and I have known Greg for the over twenty years that our son Michael has been going to our Camp. As a fellow-Jets fan, Greg always used to make up a handwritten Jets schedule before the season and give it to us to bring home. Birthdays? He'd tell you a week ahead of time that your birthday was coming up, and make sure he wished you happy birthday on the day. He always asked how Michael was doing, and when I wasn't at Camp, Jo would tell me that Greg asked her, "Where's Sal?" and if I was going to be there the next week.

As you would expect, all of us at the Camp are going to miss Greg...a lot. He was a person who truly cared about others, and showed it every day we saw him. In these trying times, that's a lesson to be learned by all of us.

I was saddened to read about Gregory. I spent a lot of time with him on virginia ave.& kinderkamack rd. From 1968 to 1972.

Whenever I hear the song "New York, New York," I couldn't help but think of Greg.  He brought a smile to the faces of people when he remembered their birthdays.  I'm sorry for your loss.  I was a camper from 1990-2000.  I might not have known the family, but I remember Greg when I moved on from camp. 
Sincerely,
His friend Devery Morgan

I have fond  memories when Gregory was born & he lived upstairs from my Grandparents house with my Aunt Jeanie & uncle Lou in the Bronx. We were so sad when we found out Gregory was moving to New Jersey, we thought we were not going to see him at my Grandmothers house anymore. They came every Saturday & we went to visit Gregory in New Jersey many times. Gregory had a gift of light in his smile & a pure soul. No Goodbye, just love ❤️ ( picture is of me in the pink coat, my sister Jen, my big brother Michael & adorable Gregory Easter of 1968 ish) 

Camp Sunshine has lost one of its giants (well, one of its Jets...) I think the best people are those who have many, seemingly dissimilar gifts that they are able to easily and naturally share with others and Greg was exactly that kind of person. His gift for memory and dates was superhuman but that he used that gift to make sure that we were celebrating our own loved ones on their special days demonstrates the kind of soul Greg was - one who deeply cared for others. I’ll miss the reminders of my family members’ birthdays and the larger than life smile and heart from the person who only wanted to bring that same smile to others. RIP, Greg.

Gregory was my Best Friend since the first day I started at Camp Sunshine ☀️ when I was 5 years old  in 1985. He loved the pool and calling Buddy check in the pool with his whistle a long with me and Michael Moran. He also liked talking to people about their family and birthday's. Camp Sunshine ☀️ is a 2nd family’s to Greg and all of us.  He has been very one’s friend. He loved the New York Jets that was his number one sports team.  I love you buddy. Rest easy.

I met Gregory in the summer of 1998 when I volunteered as a counselor. I have many wonderful memories of him. He was such a gentle soul. My sister, Alanna, was in the same work program as he was up until a few years ago. When she left, Gregory called my mom's house looking for her and making sure she was okay.  I hope you find peace in the fact that Gregory is remembered so fondly by so many people.

I remember having a dream about Gregory after I first met him  and became a part of the family, he was smiling so big, welcome and  waving to me . I dreamed of him again on the night of his passing and he was still smiling at me. I won’t  forget that smile and gentle soul ...so sincere and loved by so many <3

Greg was one of the first individuals I had the pleasure to work with as a young volunteer at Camp Sunshine. Greg was a kind, gentle soul who, as noted by others, would remember birthdays and other significant dates and information that you shared with him. He could always put a smile on my face when I was having a bad day. I am saddened by Greg’s passing, but rejoice that his body has now been transformed by the universal and absolute power of the Lord Jesus Christ. My sincerest condolences to Greg’s family. 

Greg represented absolutely everything wonderful about Camp Sunshine. When I think of camp and all I learned and gained from over a decade of involvement, it's Greg's face I see first. He was the purest person I've ever known. He, in some respects was so refreshingly simple. And in others, he was a complex, highly intelligent person. What an honor to know someone so wonderful in so many ways. I'll miss you Greg and I thank you. xoxo

Greg would walk into Camp every Saturday and write the TV sports schedule on our dry erase board. Every week without fail.  Every now and then I’d need the board for an activity so I would take away the markers.  Sure enough, I’d turn around and Greg was writing on the board.  Turns out Greg didn’t need our dry erase markers, because he brought his own to camp.   We would always tease over who’s football team was better (Go Giants- Greg didn’t agree), but always agreed that Yankees were the best.  New York New York was always one of the first songs on the karaoke request list. Greg could put a smile on anyone’s face, without even trying.   I will miss his theme day shirts, his excitement, his birthday cards, and his overall presence.   Greg, I know you will continue to watch down on all those you’ve impacted.  You will be terribly missed and your memory will never be forgotten.  

Gregory, your smile brightened the room on the rainiest days. Keep smiling down on us. Sincere condolences to the family, my siblings and I all got to know Greg many years ago at Camp Sunshine, and never forgot him. ❤

On my first day at Camp Sunshine he was sweet and kind to me .

Greg was one of the first people I met when I started volunteering at Camp so long ago. His smile was the best thing. We would sit and talk about the Jets, the Yankees, walk around the pond and of course swimming. My heart is absolutely broken with him being gone. Even if I wasn't together with him that day, he would ALWAYS come find me to say hi and to talk.  This world is a little darker without him in it.  He has NEVER forgotten my birthday nor my son Joey's when he started going there too. He was his big buddy and always watched out for him.  My heart and thoughts go out to his family. You will be DEEPLY missed Greg!!  Please watch over us all and keep us on track until we see you again. <3 <3

I remember meeting Greg on one of my occasional visits to the Castro home. I know Steve loves us cause when I was introduced to Greg I didn't have to say much else... He knew exactly who I was and the names to my immediate family, all of whom he had never met in person but had been introduced to virtually by Steve. My fav part of other visits was when Steve would ask... Who is that? He'd reply, that's Vanessa's husband. LoL She's much prettier than me. Can't blame Greg for the label. He always greeted me with an innocent smile. I know he meant the world to Steve. I'm so sorry for the loss, but I'm sure the reunion between him and Don Louis must've been epic. May he rest in peace. Thanks for allowing me and others to participate in honoring and celebrating his life. 

I met Greg at Camp Sunshine in probably the summer of 1987 or 1988. What a special person and a tragic loss. To the Castro family and all of his friends, we are thinking about you. 

Much love, Jason, AJ, Mason and Max Rudolph - Chicago IL

Gregory was the most unique person I have ever met in my lifetime.

So proud to have had him as my big brother.

My beautiful cousin Gregory held a very special place in my heart.   What I most remember is that he had a  great big smile.  I once read that a smile isn’t genuine unless the eyes smile too.  Greg couldn’t help but be genuine. His big smiles that stretched into his eyes were proof of that.  I will miss him very much.

Sending all my love and condolences to the Castro family.  I first met Greg almost 22 years ago as a volunteer at Camp Sunshine, where my brother Elijah was also a camper.  I have so many wonderful memories working with him from those years ago, but am especially grateful for him watching over Elijah in more recent years on their shared bus rides to/from their adult program. Greg acted as a big brother and would share daily updates on Elijah, who is nonverbal, letting us know all the things we needed to be concerned about. With his incredible memory, he was always so thoughtful to ask about our family members, even though many of us hadn’t seen Greg in years!

Greg’s passing is a tremendous loss. He brought such light to anyone who anyone he came in contact with, and the world will be a little dimmer without him in it. 

Thank you Gregory for all the news and sports updates, you were a great guy to speak too and I enjoyed your presence and endless conversations at camp, rest easy dude you are never forgotten I will always remember your sweetness besides the conversations we had with one another the past two years! 

Love from Kristen ❤️

Gregory was a great person always happy and friendly. He always was a staple at Camp . He loved being in the swimming pool . He will be 
Greatly missed , I have known him since 1985 
Camp will never be the same . 😢

Greg you surely will be missed my friend! You were our real life “rain man” as they would say! You knew everyone’s name, birthday, special occasion dates and all the above. Your smile lit up the entire room and will always be instilled in my heart! May you rest easy up there big guy and let that smile shine down on all of us! ❤️❤️❤️

My deepest sympathy goes out to Gregory's family.  My brother David Speranza considered Gregory one of his best pals.  My whole family got to know Gregory through the years.  One of the nicest and thoughtful things he did for me and my family was call us all to wish us Happy Birthday!  Always got the dates correct....never missed.  Rest In Peace Sweet Man.    

The Path to Heaven


The path we choose on our way to heaven

    Is a path, who knows, we may have chose at seven

The clothes we pick should be comfortable and sturdy

   From shoes with thick soles for the soles of this journey 

We cover ourselves from the demons along the way

  We button up our coats and decide not to sway 

And the things we pack in our knapsacks represent all

  All the burdens that we carry, very large or just small

Greg's path was straight with little twists and few turns

  But it was straight uphill and harsh, with no rest stops or returns

The path was very bumpy with loose footings all the while

   But when he fell, which was frequent, he would rise with a smile

And he knew just precisely how many steps to the top of this mountain 

    Because the numbers lived in his mind, a mind blessed and always counting. 

And when he reached that destination and his lungs were cleared with clean air

  The path now pointed downward to all the love he would now share

All the things he missed out in life are now plentiful in this eternal space

  For it is God Who chooses few to travel this path, and to ultimately see His Face.


                           Rest finally in Peace, 

                             Chris



Gregory had so many likes beyond what we put in his obituary. He loved the New York Jets, New York Yankees, New York Knicks and New York Rangers. He loved his NFL mini helmet matchup case where he would change the 32 teams every week and display it in our living room with pride. He loved printing or hand writing signs or cards for people's birthdays. He loved his food (we kept him well fed). He loved our holiday gatherings with our uncle Anthony. He loved Camp Sunshine and Snowflake and all the activities there (especially swimming). He loved his work program and that staff and the clients at Bergen County Special Services. He loved riding the buses to work and camp. He loved drives in our cars. He loved takeout like Applebee's, Olive Garden, our local takeout places and fast food. He loved game shows, cartoons, TV shows and sports. He loved to go and check the mail every day. He loved Verizon FiOS. He loved commercials. He loved writing handwritten notes. He loved computer and video games. He loved bowling. He loved keeping scores and standings boards for all 4 sports. He loved my mother's and my cooking. He loved our family (immediate and extended). He loved his childhood from the 70's and all that pop culture. He loved The Bronx. He memorized so much stuff from zip codes to everyone's special dates. He loved his friends he made over the years from camp and work. But most of all, there's no place he loved more than being home with his immediate family whom he adored.

We love Gregory and will cherish his memory forever!

Greg was never without a smile! He was always a joy to be around! All the years we spent together at camp and the memories we made will be cherished! He never forgot a birthday or an anniversary and even after I left camp, he would always reach out on a special occasion, always made it extra special. 
He will be truly missed!
You are all in my thoughts and prayers! 

Greg was the best!  He made my time at Camp so special!  He was always happy to see everyone and remembered every detail!  He was my memory ...reminding me what we did the year before and always looking forward to what was coming!   I loved family day and the softball games with all of you!  Greg loved the staff, volunteers, other campers and all the activities we did. 

We would always end the day the same way that he was my camper, my friend and my best birthday announcer. Greg was my buddy and I will miss him dearly!

Greg and I have kept in touch throughout the years but I am so grateful that  we recently spoke on messenger  and we had a great conversation.  I will treasure it.

Mrs. Castro, Eric and Steve, you are in my thoughts and prayers!  

OBITUARY

Gregory Castro

March 7, 1968 – April 7, 2020

Becker Funeral Home

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