Gregory was a shining example of the greatest generation.  Born in the forests of southeast Poland, he last saw his parents at age 17.  He endured forced labour in Germany in the Second World War, then supported himself as a coal miner in The Netherlands.  Arriving at Halifax's Pier 21, he began his new life in Canada with little more than his boundless work ethic and stoic determination.  He trained to become a welder and worked at Oakville's Ford plant for 35 years.

Gregory was modest and unassuming.  He was self-taught and could speak in five languages with remarkable insight about history and other subjects.

A devoted family man, Gregory met Anna at a dance, and they became inseparable as husband and wife for 65 years. He became the proud father of Christine Svoboda (Alec) and Teresa Joseph (Gary), and the beloved grandfather of Nadia, Andrea, and Matthew.

Gregory died as he had lived for over a century - peacefully, at home, with loving family present.  He will be dearly missed by all, and no future Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving or Birthday celebration will be the same without him at the head of our table.

Rest in peace, our beloved Tata and Dziadek.

Visitation will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, (One block East of Kerr Street) on Friday September 13, 2024 from 10 am - 11 am followed by a Funeral service chapel at 11 am.  There will a reception following the service and Interment at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery in the afternoon.