Thomas E. Gregory

Thomas “Tom” E. Gregory of Waukesha passed away peacefully on Monday, September 5, 2016, at Seasons Hospice at the age of 73. Tom was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, on January 29, 1943, the son of James and Rosella (nee Rosenthal) Gregory. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. On June 30, 1973, he married Patricia Parks at First Baptist Church in Waukesha. Tom taught vocal music in New Berlin public schools for 33 years. He also served as music director, choir director, and handbell director at First Baptist and, more recently, as organist at First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa. He was active in the national handbell community and was a published handbell music arranger.

Tom is survived by his wife of 43 years, along with their daughter Elizabeth (Anthony) Jaffe of Decatur, Georgia, his brother James (Arlene) Gregory of Reedsburg, nephews Jim Gregory and Scott Gregory, nieces Julia (Jim Chekos) Parks and Jennifer (Haidee Janak) Parks, great-nephews Noah and Josten, great-niece Quinn, foreign-exchange sons Vincent Delvaux and Staffan Lindroth, and Abigail the dog — along with other relatives and many friends. He will be dearly missed by all. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Lee Parks, and sister-in-law Leanne Parks.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016, 9:30-11:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa: 1511 Church Street, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53213. A memorial service with full military honors will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS), 701 Northview Road, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188; Seasons Hospice Foundation, 6400 Shafer Court (Suite 700), Rosemont, Illinois 60018; or the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa (address above).