Obituary: Franklin "Frank" Gregory
By: The Good Newsroom
Serving at Xavier High School in Manhattan for 27 years, as the Dean of Students he influenced generations of young men to find their individual greatness and to live their lives as “Men for Others”
Franklin D. Gregory entered eternal life at age 89 on December 2, 2024, in Lebanon, New Jersey. He did so in the comfort of his Catholic faith and surrounded by the love of his family and friends.
Frank was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 13, 1935, the seventh of James and Mary Gregory’s 12 children. He attended St. Peter’s Prep and St. Peter’s College in New Jersey and received a graduate degree from Fordham University. His Jesuit education established the foundation for a life-long commitment to service as an educator in the Jesuit tradition.
Frank began his career as Registrar at Brooklyn Prep in 1962 and moved on to Xavier High School in Manhattan in 1972. He was at Xavier for 27 years where, as the Dean of Students, he influenced generations of young men to find their individual greatness and to live their lives as “Men for Others.”
Frank and Roberta, his wife of 63 years, raised their family in Brooklyn. Together, they instilled in their children the importance of faith, family, and education. He and Roberta moved to Lebanon, New Jersey, shortly before Frank retired. There, they spent the past 30 years enjoying frequent visits from their growing family. Frank loved to be surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
His curiosity for how things work, his love of music and singing, and his deep and abiding faith will live on through them all.
Frank is survived by his wife, Roberta (Kling); his children, Margaret and her husband Kenneth; Francis and his wife Debra; Teresa; Mary Catherine; Virginia and her husband Anthony; Robert and his wife Joan; John and his wife Colleen; and Eileen and her husband Brian. He is also survived by his 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings Frances Pavick and Daniel “Butch” Gregory. Frank was predeceased by his daughter, Catherine Marie, and nine of his siblings.
Calling hours will take place on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 4-8 p.m. at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 390 County Road 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Frank’s memory may be sent to Xavier Mission in NY at xaviermission.org/donate.