Michael J. Gregory

Michael Joseph Gregory passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, August 13th 2024 at 71 years of age, while in Hospice care at Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester, NY. He battled severe mental illness most of his life and physical illness in recent years, including chronic infections and sepsis. Michael was raised Catholic and remained a man of great faith all his life. He joins his parents, Robert and Dorothy, brothers Bobby ("Fox") and Stephen, and sisters Mary Beth and Eileen in Heaven. Michael's brother Chris (and wife, Susie), sister Anne, his only child, daughter Katie, and his many nephews and friends miss him dearly here on Earth. As they grieve, they are all grateful that his suffering has ended. 

Michael grew up in Parkchester in the Bronx, NY. "Mike" and his family enjoyed (and still enjoy) the amazing community shared there; he frequently recounted tales of those early years and the friends he made there. He played baseball and basketball, often with his brothers as teammates. He admired them his whole life. Michael attended St. Helena High School, a neighborhood staple in Parkchester. He was a bright student, and attended SUNY Oneonta for a short time. 

Michael was tormented by mental illness and the disease of addiction, but found sobriety in the mid 1980's, after moving to Rochester, NY where his sister Eileen had relocated. In recovery, he met the love of his life, his long time partner and friend Susan Lambert. They shared a period of health and happiness, filled with road trips, camping, and adventures with their beloved dog, Jack. Michael was an animal lover, taking joy in his own pets, as well as those of his sister and daughter. Michael thoroughly enjoyed biking to explore the region and it's many parks. In their decade as a couple, Mike and Susan moved around the city of Rochester and neighboring towns like Walworth, NY. They welcomed their baby girl, Katie, there in 1994. For many years he vacationed with the Gregory's in Rockaway, NY. That place meant a lot to him, bringing Katie down for her first visit at just 3 weeks old. 

Michael unfortunately grew sicker with time and spent the last 25+ years in the care of adult homes and skilled nursing facilities throughout Rochester. In difficult times, he turned to his family and friends. He especially relied on the community and relationships he made through sobriety (AA). Michael attended meetings as often as he could. He was very appreciative to his brother-in-law, Tom for helping get him there. He maintained 40 years of sobriety, living by the mantra "one day at a time". 

To know Michael was to know his sharp wit and great laugh. Upon learning of his passing, a friend shared "Mike was a great guy who could make you laugh with his wry sense of humor." Even in the depths of his illness, there were glimpses of it, which his loved ones took every opportunity to capitalize on. He could be very sweet. His sister Anne remembers a time when her firstborn son, James, was an infant and Michael walked to the store in the pouring rain to get diapers for them. 

He had no sweeter place in his heart than for his daughter Katie. He loved being her father, and ended nearly every conversation with "you're a good kid, I'm proud of you and I love you." 

Katie and her fiancé (Himanshu Ahuja) saw to Michael's care in his last days, through a long and difficult period of advocacy in and out of hospitals and nursing homes. Susan, a pillar of his and Katie's support system, unexpectedly passed just 2 months before Michael. While the healthcare system failed him in many ways, his family is thankful to the individuals who fed him, bathed him, and met his needs and to those who showed him compassion while charged with his care. 

Services for Micheal are being organized by his siblings and daughter, and will be updated here.