Wayne M Gregg

Wayne M Gregg, formerly of Atglen, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the VA Community Living Center in Coatesville, PA.  He was the husband of Catharine (Gibson) Gregg for over 53 years. Born in Coatesville he was the son of the late Miles K. and Idabelle (Campbell) Gregg.

Wayne proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam vet. He was a member of the Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church and served as a trustee. He was also a member of the Christiana Lions Club.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Gail (Matt) Courtney of Middletown, DE, and a son, Andy (Jessica) Gregg of Redondo Beach, CA, grandchildren, Daniel and Connor Courtney of Middletown, DE, and sisters, Kay (Jonas) Lantz of Willow Street, and Barbara Russell of Mt. Joy, PA.

Wayne grew up in Atglen and lived most of his life in the tiny, one-red-light, idyllic town. He knew almost everyone and greeted each person with a smile, and usually a lively conversation. Wayne would have won in a landslide if he had run for mayor, but politics weren’t his thing. He was the definition of a good neighbor, always willing to lend a helping hand. In winter he would shovel out elderly neighbors’ driveways without being asked, in summer he would mow those same elderly neighbors’ lawns, again, without being asked. He wanted nothing in return. He did it because it was the right thing to do. Wayne would stop by to check on his neighbors regularly, sharing stories and laughter at every stop.

Wayne was a dedicated son who taught his children by example how to care for aging parents. With his father paralyzed due to complications from MS, and his mother suffering from Alzheimer’s, Wayne tirelessly lined up care for them, checked on them daily, and made sure they lived their final years with dignity.

He was also a loving husband and father, caring and providing for his wife Cathy, “Sweet Pea” as he called her, and his children Gail and Andy. His tough exterior would melt quickly in the presence of his only daughter. He was a proud “girl dad” long before that term became popular. Then his grandsons came along. Daniel and Connor Courtney had Granddad in the palm of their hands. He loved being a grandfather, and spending time with the boys was one of the greatest joys of his life.

Wayne was a self-employed barber and had a shop in his home in Atglen. His barber shop was busy most nights of the week, with conversations and laughter bellowing through the door that separated the shop from the kitchen. When the barber shop door opened Wayne would get up from the dinner table and get to work, never wanting his customers to have to wait, even if they were 10 minutes early. That’s the kind of guy he was, selfless, always thinking of others.

Wayne also worked at the former Quebecor Printing in Atglen doing shift work for 42 years. He enjoyed his co-workers, many of whom became friends outside of work.

Wayne took pride in the possessions he worked so hard to acquire. His 1995 Ford F150 pickup was almost always freshly waxed and washed, and after 25 years still ran great and had accumulated only about 60,000 miles. That’s what happens when your commute is one mile each way! He even kept The Club on the steering wheel nightly, despite his kids telling him they were pretty sure no one was going to steal his truck in the safe little town of Atglen.

Wayne had a sweet tooth and loved root beer, chocolate, cake, ice cream and basically any other dessert. He could always be found with Lifesavers mints in his pocket, offering them to pretty much anyone he met. At cookouts he could always be found manning the grill, while having a few cold ones. The Gregg’s played host to several friends with cookouts every holiday in the summer, and parties every New Year’s Eve. Wayne was always the life of the party, making sure everyone was having a blast.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, 1121 Octorara Trail, Parkesburg, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Interment to follow in the adjoining church cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Octorara Food Cupboard. To make a donation please click HERE.