MR. ERNEST J. GREGORY passed away at home in Dumfries, Va., on Oct. 5, 2015, at the age of 69 with his wife and children at his side..
Born and raised in Dunmore, he was a longtime resident of Northern Virginia. He retired as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and Comptroller in 2004 after more than 37 years of exemplary federal service. His work improved the Army's internal financial controls, combatted waste, fraud and abuse and helped ensure the service was responsive to the needs of the nation.
Following his graduation from the University of Scranton in 1967, he entered the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer at the Strategic Air Command at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. He began his civilian career with the Department of Defense in 1972, when he joined the U.S. Army Audit Agency in Philadelphia. He was then selected for the Army secretariat staff in 1982. He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University in 1979 and to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1988. The Army in 1993 acknowledged his gifted leadership and considerable abilities by elevating him to the Senior Executive Service. He was well- known at the Pentagon for his gregarious personality and outstanding team building. He empowered those with whom he worked and bolstered the personal and professional development of his military and civilian colleagues. His character and accomplishments earned him numerous awards throughout the years.
Ultimately, the role he relished the most was that of "Papa" to his grandchildren. He delighted all whom he met with stories and anecdotes that radiated his deep pride and love for them. His outsized presence, wit, wisdom and chin flick will be sorely missed by family, friends and the many whose lives he touched.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Johanna Nicastro Gregory, of Dunmore and Dumfries, Va.; daughter and son-in-law, Maura and Bryan Kasper; son and daughter-in-law, Ernest and Christine Gregorio; and son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Melissa Gregory; as well as seven grandchildren, Aidan Joseph Kasper; Catherine, Salvatore, and Giovanni Gregorio; and Nicholas, Isabella, and Gabrielle Gregory. -
Monday, October 12, 2015
3:00-7:00 pm
Viewing at Miller Funeral Home
3200 Golansky Blvd.
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
11:00 am Funeral Mass
Sacred Heart Parish
12975 Purcell Rd
Manassas, VA 20112
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
1:00pm Burial
Quantico National Cemetery
18424 Joplin Rd.
Triangle, VA 22172
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Reception Following Burial
2:00-5:00pm
Harbour View
13200 Marina Way
Woodbridge, VA 22191
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernie's memory to either Voices Against Brain Cancer (voicesagainstbraincancer.org) or The Wounded Warrior Project (WoundedWarriorProject.org)
See the "In Memoriam" article on the ASMC website.