William "Greg" Louis Gregurich

William Louis "Greg" Gregurich, age 100 of Stillwater, formerly of Bayport, passed away in Stillwater March 15, 2024. Greg was born on January 7, 1924 in International Falls to Matt and Veronica (Ojanich) Gregurich. Following his 18th birthday, a month after the United States entered World War II, Greg enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. and was assigned to service in the South Pacific. On July 26, 1944 he was wounded in action on the island of Guam and was awarded a Purple Heart Medal. Greg received his GED through the military and after his honorable discharge, attended a school for watchmaking. The skills Greg learned guided his lifelong career as a watchmaker in which he worked both for himself and several jewelry shops.

Greg and his first wife Virginia (Jimmy) made their home in Bayport. Sadly, Virginia died at the age of 72 in 1988 following many health complications. A couple of years later, Greg attended an adult singles dance and met Beverly Eckhardt. The pair dated for a few weeks before privately getting married and informing Beverly's three daughters the following day. Greg was beloved for being the sweet, kind man that he was, and he cherished his new family. The couple continued to reside in Bayport, but eventually spent the winters in Venice, FL, before moving to Stillwater full-time.

Greg enjoyed keeping busy in his garden behind the home in Bayport, or picking the oranges and grapefruit from their backyard trees in Venice. He was very fond of cats and always ready for a good laugh. Greg was always looking for ways of helping out and being useful, which included volunteering as a Senior Companion at Boutwells Landing where he commonly visited with adults younger than him. Greg was a member and Chaplain of the Bayport American Legion, attended the Church of St. Charles and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Having been around the area most of his life, Greg knew just about everyone, and they all knew his response if asked how his day was going..."Finer than frog's fur."

Greg will remain in the hearts of his beloved wife of 31 years, Beverly; stepdaughters Julie (Rick) Major, Jolene Eckhardt (Patrick Scott), and Janelle Clare (Brett Hoffman); grandchildren Erick (Lindsay) Major, Samantha (Jay) Feuillerat, Margaret (Blaine) Beadle, and Kaitlyn (Brad) Billstein; as well as great-granddaughter Evelyn Gilmore and great-grandsons Louis Billstein and Jaxon Beadle. He is preceded in death by his first wife Virginia; a stillborn son; grandson Andrew Clare; his parents; and all his many siblings.

A graveside service with military honors for Greg will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater. Following the graveside service, a reception to celebrate Greg's life will be held at the Bayport American Legion, 263 3rd St N, Bayport MN.
 

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