GREGORY, ALEXANDER “SANDY” – Alexander Payson “Sandy” Gregory of Rothesay, husband of Mildred A. (Monteith) Gregory, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Saint John on March 10, 1923, he was a son of the late Hugh and Elsa (Payson) Gregory. Sandy was a graduate of Rothesay Collegiate School and the University of New Brunswick. After university, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserves, and subsequently attended Kings College in Halifax, where he received his commission for the Royal Canadian Navy. He served on the Corvettes in the North Atlantic, escorting the merchant vessels to England. Sandy continued his association with the RCNR until late in life, mentoring many youngsters at HMCS BRUNSWICKER over the years. Very active in his community, Sandy served a term as Councillor with the City of Saint John, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners, the Royal Arch Masons, the Rotary Club, the St. Andrew’s Society, the Hammond River Angling Association, the Naval Memorial Trust, the Seafarer’s Mission, the Liberal Association of New Brunswick, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, St. Mary’s Angling Association, the United Commercial Travellers, the Probus Club, the Fort Lauderdale Magic Club, the Pompano Florida Magic Club, the Magic Circle of Saint John, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, the Saint John Boys and Girls Club, and was Past President of the Naval Officer Association of Canada, as well as founder of the Triton Scuba Club. Sandy was a member of the Riverside Golf and Country Club for over 70 years. Sandy was widely known and enjoyed for his entertainment skills and magic talent. He always made others happy and will be remembered for the many years he led the singing for Rotary, St. Andrew’s Society, and the St. Patrick’s Society. He studied theatre, being a graduate of the American Academy of Arts in New York City, and travelled most of the United States with a theatre group. He also performed with the “Players Theatre” of London, England, and had been given a role in “A Streetcar Named Desire”, but was unable to perform due to an accident. He then returned to Saint John to join the family business, H. S. Gregory and Sons. While living in Saint John, Sandy was involved in organizing the Remembrance Day, Battle of the Atlantic, and city parade celebrations. He was named “Squire” by Mayor Elsie Wayne in recognition of his community service and pageant spokesman for “Loyalist Days”. He wrote and performed in the Loyalist Landing re-enactments, and during New Brunswick’s Bicentennial Year, Sandy portrayed Governor Carleton at several events enjoyed by all New Brunswickers. In his retirement, Sandy wintered many years in Boca Raton, Florida, where he was involved with magic clubs and other community activities in Florida. He enjoyed travelling extensively, both by car and by cruising, even up until the last few years. Sandy was a lifelong Anglican, being a member of Trinity Anglican Church, where he served on Vestry. In later years, he attended St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Rothesay. In addition to his wife, Sandy is survived by his children, Hugh Gregory (Anne) of Burnaby, BC, Charles Gregory of Hamilton, ON, Diane McGladrey (Mark) of Ladysmith, BC, and Glen Soulis (Helen) of Waterloo, ON; step-children Michael Crawford (Jeanna) of Oakville, ON and Kimberly Paton of London, ON; two nieces; and several great and great great nieces and nephews. Sandy was predeceased by a sister, Alma “Bebe”.
Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 1:00 PM from Trinity Anglican Church, 115 Charlotte Street. Interment will take place at Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to Trinity Church Building Fund, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the Saint John Boys and Girls Club, or the Seafarer’s Mission would be appreciated by the family. A Royal Canadian Legion Veteran’s Tribute service will be held on Thursday at 7:00 PM from the funeral home. Online condolence and remembrances may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.