Obituary of Michael W. Gregory Sr.

Michael William Gregory, Sr., 89, of Bemus Point, NY passed away, Sunday, May 19, 2024 at home with his wife, Sally, by his side. Michael was born February 17, 1935 in Patchogue, NY, the son of Constantine and Katherine (Sholtis) Gregory. He was a graduate of Jamestown High School, Broome Technical College and Vale Technical Institute. He served honorably in the U.S. Army as Company Clerk in Wurzburg, Germany. After a career with Jamestown Mutual Insurance and Unigard Insurance, he became the Patients Account Manager for Jamestown General Hospital until its closing. Mike then worked for Lucian Lodestro Law Office. In 1988, Mike and Sally purchased Guppy's Restaurant in Bemus Point and enjoyed many years as business owners. They found great joy meeting and spending time with all of the wonderful customers who passed through the door. Michael was a proud member of the American Legion, The War Vets Recreation Club, the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club and the Bemus Point Historical Society. He was an active member and trustee of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bemus Point. His greatest loves were his family and living on Chautauqua Lake. He was an avid fisherman in winter and summer; he enjoyed swimming, boating and, as a young man, water skiing with his friend Denny Lundberg. He and his son enjoyed fly fishing in Montana and the Central PA area. He passed along his love of the lake to his children and grandchildren through boating and teaching them all to fish. He relished in the many accomplishments of his family by flying their college flags over his dock. He is survived and will be sadly missed by his wife, of 60 years, Sarah "Sally" Lodestro Gregory and their three children, Michael William (Sara) Gregory, Jr. of Saratoga Springs, NY, Katherine (David) Nelson of Bemus Point, NY and Kristine (Juan) Alegria of Chicago, IL. He was the proud grandfather to his 9 grandchildren, Michael William Gregory, III of Albany, NY, Margaret Gregory of College Station, TX, Mark Gregory of Durham, NC, John Gregory of Saratoga Springs, NY, Gregory Nelson of New York, NY, Patrick Nelson of Pittsburgh, PA, Lauren Nelson of Richmond, VA, Gregory Alegria and William "Liam" Alegria of Chicago, IL He is also survived by his brother, Constantine "Greg" (Margo) Gregory of Snellville, GA, and sister-in-law Shirley Gregory of Dunnellon, FL. In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his sister Betty Schreck, his brother Gary Gregory and his nephews Michael Eugene Gregory and Terry Gregory Schreck. During his long battle with cancer, Mike was lovingly endeared by his family as a "Medical Miracle" for his strength, resilience, and sense of humor throughout his illness. He was thankful for the wonderful support of his care team: Dr. Jeffrey Krempa, Dr. James Cirbus, Dr. Jairus Ibabao and Dr. Peter Walter. He was extremely grateful for the care he received from Hospice of Chautauqua County. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 28th in St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bemus Point. The Rev. Todd Remick will be celebrant. Friends will be received from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church prior to the mass. The family will also greet friends at a reception following the service in the church hall. Burial with military honors will take place in the Bemus Point Cemetery immediately after the reception. Donations can be made in honor of Michael to Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Our Lady Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 41 Main St., Bemus Point, NY 14712; or Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750.