Monmouth Medical Leader Dies at 78

James A. “Jim” Greco M.D., of St Marys, GA and Colts Neck, died Sunday in Long Branch.

Jim was born on Oct. 10, 1935 to James and Anne Mae (MacKillop) Greco in Union City, NJ. Raised in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Jim earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from St. Bonaventure University in 1957, a DDS from Farleigh Dickenson University Dental School in 1961, and a M.D. from Hahnemann Medical College & Hospital in 1965, where he also completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine and became a NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in the Division of Nephrology & Vascular Disease from 1970-1972.

He was a Major in the US Army Medical Corps. from 1967-1969, during which time he served a one year tour in Vietnam. He was Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. He was an attending physician at Monmouth Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center since 1972. He, along with James Flynn, M.D. co-founded Hypertension and Nephrology Associates, the first chronic hemodialysis services at Monmouth Medical Center in 1972. He was a Co-Director in the Department of Nephrology at Monmouth Medical Center and a Clinical Associate Professor at Hahnemann Medical College & Hospital.

In 2000, he was presented with the Apple Award for Outstanding Clinical Teaching from Hahnemann Medical College & Hospital and in 2002, he was honored with the Pinnacle Award from Monmouth Medical Center for Outstanding Service. He was a member of the American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Artificial Internal Organs, Monmouth County Medical Society, National Kidney Foundation, Nephrological Society of New Jersey, and New Jersey Association of Renal Physicians.

In his spare time, he loved to play golf, collect & work on Classic cars, and watch NCAA Basketball and Giants Football. He was a devoted “Ahpa” to his grandson, Brycen. He lived to work and worked to live.

He is predeceased by his parents, and by his son Timothy in March of this year. Jim is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karen (Jakelsky ) Greco; his daughter & son-in-law Christine and Anthony Covington of Neptune; his grandson, Brycen Greco of Neptune; and his brothers John, Hugh, and Daniel Greco.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in memory of Dr. James A. Greco be sent to St. Bonaventure University Scholarship Fund. To make an online donation please go to www.sbu.edu/donate; phone- contact Julie Cunningham at 716-375-2301; or mail to – Saint Bonaventure University, PO Box 2519, Saint Bonventure, NY, 14778.

Please visit Jim’s memorial website available at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.