Theodore A. Gregory

Theodore Gregory, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, after a short illness. Ted was born Thodhoraq Gjylameti on April 29, 1937, in Proger, Albania, the youngest child of Ndrio and Krisulla (Kallinis) Gjylameti. Ndrio went to the US to establish a home and to pursue the American dream, adopting the more American sounding name of Andrew Gregory. Ted and the rest of his family left Albania for the United States in February 1939, shortly before the country was invaded by Italy. The family joined Andrew in New York, where they lived in Manhattan and later in Jamaica, Queens.

Ted was a member of St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church in New York, where he served faithfully as an altar boy and as a member of the choir. He also worked in the family business, appropriately named "Gregory Bar & Restaurant", located on the corner of Lexington Ave. and 56th Street in Manhattan.

Ted graduated from Jamaica High School in 1955, the R.C.A. Institute in 1965, and Control Data Institute in 1970. He served his country in the US Army from 1961 to 1963. Ted worked as a crystal technician for the Bullova Watch Co. in New York, and later as an engineer at Fenwal Electronics in Framingham. In 1990 Ted obtained a degree in Computer Information Systems from Quinsigamond Community College.

Ted was active in the Albanian American National Organization (AANO), where he served as President and Treasurer of the New York chapter. It was at an AANO Convention in 1960 that he met the love of his life Loretta Dimitri; they married in 1967 and had two children, Michael and Lisa.

Ted and his family moved to Worcester, where he was an active member of St. Mary's Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, including serving on the parish board. He was also an active member of the Sons of St. Mary's, where he looked forward to the fellowship of their meetings and dinners. Ted was a regular volunteer at the biennial Albanian Festivals, including at the most recent festival in 2023.

Despite 50 plus years in Massachusetts, Ted stayed a lifelong Yankees fan. He insisted on wearing his Yankees cap around Worcester, attracting glances and comments from the many Red Sox fans he encountered. He also enjoyed travelling, including trips to Greece, Canada, France, the U.K., as well as many cruises and a very special trip to Albania where he was able to visit the house in which he was born. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter Jordan, who lovingly called him "Bab Gjush".

Ted leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Loretta, his son Michael and his wife Lauren, and his granddaughter Jordan, of Dedham, his daughter Lisa of Worcester, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Andrew and Krisulla, his sister Georgika Boria and her husband Kostica (Gus), his brother Kristo Gregory and his wife Mary Ann, and his brother Kastriot Gregory.

Ted's family and friends will gather to remember his life with a visitation Monday March 17 from 9:30 - 11:00 am at St. Mary's Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester, followed by a funeral service at 11.00 am. The Very Rev. Mark Doku will officiate, with the burial to follow at Hope Cemetery in Worcester. For those unable to attend the service, the funeral will be livestreamed on St. Mary's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@st.marysassumptionalbanian2377 .

In lieu of flowers, Ted's family requests that donations be made to St. Mary's Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609, or online, https://www.stmarysalbanianchurch.org/memorial .

Arrangements are under the direction of Ted's friend Philip G. Haddad, Jr., Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.

May his memory be eternal!

I përjetshëm qoftë kujtimi i tij!