'Tireless, Selfless' Princeton First Responder Dies At Age 57

PRINCETON, NJ — Described as a "tireless, selfless public servant," Robert G. "Bob" Gregory Jr. gave everything to the Princeton community. Now the community he helped for many years is mourning his loss. Gregory died at the age of 57 on Thursday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, surrounded by his loving family.

Gregory most recently served as Princeton's Director of Emergency Safety and Services and as Fire Marshall for Princeton University. Previously he served as past President of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, an ex-Fire Chief with North Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department, Company 3 and a member of Reliable Fire Service in South River.

"He was a tireless, selfless public servant. There was nothing Bob would not do for the Princeton Police Department, including but not limited to mentoring our own youth academy “recruit”. Amidst our sadness, we will celebrate the life and work of Bob Gregory. And we will try to emulate the extraordinarily kind person that he was," Princeton Police posted.

"Bob's impact and contributions to emergency services in Princeton, and other communities will remain beyond his time with us. His smiling presence will be missed. As a dedicated public servant, Bob contributed to Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad as a leader, mentor, and dear friend. PFARS stands by Bob's family during the difficult time, and will honor his legacy by striving to provide the exceptional emergency services to which he dedicated his life. Rest in peace Bob, we'll take it from here," Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad posted.

Gregory is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years Michele (Piatek) Gregory of South Brunswick; his dear parents Robert, Sr. and Lucille Gregory of South River; his loving brother Marc and wife Coleen of Edison; mother-in-law Gloria Piatek of Monroe Township; two sisters-in-laws and their husbands Lori and Tom Konopacki of Old Bridge and Pam and Dennis Dressel of Monroe Township; nieces Lauren, Megan, and Shannon and nephews Bryan, Paul, Patrick, and Kyle; his aunts and uncles Tony and JoAnn Razzano of East Brunswick, Frank and Pat Razzano of Florida, Sal and Diane Razzano of South River, Carol Shearn of South River, and Lynne Walford of Tennessee; as well as many dear cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. from the M.A. Maliszewski Funeral Home, 218 Whitehead Avenue, South River with a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary of Ostrabrama RC Church, South River.

Entombment will immediately follow at Holy Cross Burial Park in South Brunswick. Calling hours at the funeral home will take place on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org. Letters of condolence to the family, completed arrangements and directions may be found by visiting maliszewskifuneralhome.com.

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