Eric R Gregory, obituary

Thu, 05/23/2019 - 9:45am

ROCKLAND - Eric R Gregory, 38, died unexpectedly, Saturday, May 18, 2019.

As a young child, Eric resided with his grandparents, Bob and Pauline Davis.  For a number of his teenage years, as well as after his military career, Eric lived with his cousin Kat and her family, with whom he was very close.  Eric took on the role of big brother to Devon and Robert, who remained his best friend until his passing.  

Immediately following high school graduation in 2000, Eric enlisted in the US Army.  Throughout his military career he was deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq and Africa.  He earned numerous medals, ribbons and badges.  Eric was a parachutist, an expert marksman, combat infantryman and at the end of his career, a Sergeant for the Brigade Combat Team in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).  

Upon completion of his last duty assignment, Eric returned home to Maine, with his family, where he worked as a lobsterman, and for many years as a monument mason and most recently as a laborer.                 

  In 2009, Eric’s son, Kayden, was born.  He was Eric’s whole world.  He loved being a dad and knew his son adored him.  Eric was very close with his sister Jeannette and her children, who he treated like his own.   

Eric will be remember as someone who loved his family immensely.  He was sweet and kind, a funny and hardworking man who was willing to help anyone in need.  He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.

Eric is preceded in death by his cousin Devon Stewart; two uncles William Widdecombe and Martin Ward; his paternal grandmother Geneva Gregory; and his paternal grandfather Bob Davis.  He is survived by his father Walter Gregory; his mother Diana Howard Hall; his sisters, Jeannette Gregory of Bangor, Jayme Hurley and her fiancé Thomas Lewis of Portland; his brothers, Shawn Hurley and his partner Megan Harris of Hoosick Falls, New York, Derek Gregory; his nieces and nephews, Adrianna, Vincent, Vanessa and Julian, Dominic, Angelo, Mason and Reese, Tarrah and Ivery; his aunts, Donna Ward, Diane Widdecombe, Gail Nason and Barbara York; his cousins, Kat Stewart, Jarod Rackliff, Christy Nason, Scott Nason, Shona Long and Holly York; his best friend Robert Stewart; as well as his close friends Bobby Stewart and the Byer family.  

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2019 at the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, 336 Limerock Street, Rockland.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  To share a memory or condolence with Eric’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.