Jack Gregory

Jack Harry Gregory passed away on May 14, 2025, at age 97. He was born October 29, 1927, in Curtisville, Pennsylvania. He was the fourteenth of seventeen children, son of Harry and Martha Gregory, who were members of a large community of Russian Orthodox Old Believers who immigrated to the US in the early 20th century. Growing up in Detroit, he attended Pershing High School and Wayne State University, earning his masters degree in Psychology. With his first wife Mary (Kukkonen), he had four children, Daniel, Lisa, Victoria (deceased), and Jeffrey. He has two grandchildren, Leigh and Tai Gregory. His second wife, Joan (Sirgany, deceased), had children Robert (deceased), Donna (deceased), and Sandra by her first marriage.

As a practicing psychologist, he specialized in the treatment of alcoholism and other addictions and was a frequently requested speaker at seminars and media appearances in the Detroit area, where his wry and sometimes earthy sense of humor won over his audiences. He began his career as a staff psychologist at Herman Kiefer Hospital in Detroit, a city-owned hospital specializing in the treatment of contagious diseases. He served on the board of directors of Grateful Home, a residential facility for recovering alcoholic women. He also served as a staff psychologist at Guest House, a residential facility for recovering alcoholic priests. He also maintained a private practice. After retiring in 1997, he moved with Joan to Fair Oaks California, where she pursued her interests in education and church, and he continued to play his favorite sports, golf and bridge (he said bridge was not just a card game – it’s a sport!). Over the years his children and grandchildren enjoyed many trips to California.

He served twice in the US Army, first in 1948 through 1949 as a Neuropsychiatric Technician, and then again in 1950 through 1951 when called to duty in Korea, landing at Inchon. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, along with a Merit Unit Commendation.

As an avid golfer, he played both for his Army team and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He won the First Army golf championship at Fort Monmouth New Jersey in 1949. He was the State of Michigan Publinx links champion in 1953. Lettering in golf, team captain, and as a long-time participant in the Michigan (and later, California) amateur golf scene, in 1994 Jack was inducted into the Wayne State University athletic hall of fame.

We would like to thank Jack’s special friends in California, Mark Correale and Lili Yee, who provided competition on the links, companionship, and support, for their help as Jack’s health changed and it became clear he would need to move. We would like to thank the staff and residents at Brookdale, Century Ave, and Brookdale, Stonefield for their assistance and support for the past four years following Jack’s move to Wisconsin to be closer to family. We also thank the staff at Agrace Hospice for their quick responses and steady presence. While no formal service is planned, the family will gather later this summer to celebrate Jack’s long and full life.