Gregory E. Danese, 78, of Georgetown, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on June 21, 2024 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his children, Amy and Alexander, and his beloved pets by his side.

Born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Greg grew up in Rosemont, New Jersey, before moving to Stockton in 1978. He resided there until February 2021, when he moved to Georgetown. Although he enjoyed his time and all the friends he made there, New Jersey, was always considered his “home.”

Greg graduated from Hunterdon Central High School in 1964, and went on to enlist in ROTC, later joining the Army and becoming a 2nd Lieutenant. He attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received his law degree. He was part of the Kappa Sigma Phi fraternity and enjoyed many activities with his “brothers.” Eventually, Greg was employed by the State of New Jersey as an attorney, and among many other accomplishments, was involved with implementing the Medicare and Medicaid coverage programs in New Jersey. He also maintained a private law practice that kept him busy after his early retirement from the state in 2002.

Greg met the love of his life, Susan, in 1976, and they were married shortly after. They moved to Stockton and had two children, Amy and Alexander. Greg and Sue were happily married for 36 years until her death in 2014. He was never quite the same after her passing, and we take some comfort knowing they are finally together again.

His life was filled with numerous hobbies and activities. Besides working a 9-5 job, Greg always found time to coach soccer, baseball and basketball for many years. We are frequently reminded of how “Coach G” was their role model; he was not only a coach, but their mentor as well, and he was extremely proud of their accomplishments as adults. Greg was also a volunteer firefighter since the 1980’s, and served as their treasurer for many years. He was actively involved in his children’s education, serving on the South Hunterdon Regional High School Board of Education from 1999 to 2004. Some of his interests included fishing in Canada, watching Steelers and Pirates games, throwing parties with friends, and his recent favorite activity: line dancing. He was a member of the South Strand Shag Club and always enjoyed nights out at Artie’s or the Capri. He would show up in his cowboy hat and boots, ready for a fun night with his fellow dancers. He also had a special place in his heart for animals, especially Siberian Huskies, which he owned for many years.

Greg was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, where he often served as an usher and volunteered with the church’s Outreach Committee. He later joined St. Mary of Ransom’s Church in South Carolina, where he continued volunteering at blood drives and fundraisers, especially if they involved special needs’ children. He was always ready to lend a hand, serving both his community and God.

A proud Army veteran, Greg was a member of the Edgar H. Denson American Legion Post 79 in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and the VFW Post 6444 as well as the American Legion 114 in Georgetown, South Carolina. He was an active member in the Knights of Columbus and took his 3rd degree in New Jersey, and 4th degree in 2022 in Georgetown.

Greg was the son of the late Richard Danese and Josephine Scarcella Danese. He was predeceased by his wife, Susan and dear friend, Stephen Jaques.

He is survived by his loving children: daughter, Amy of Georgetown, SC; son, Alexander (Francesca) Danese of Lincroft, NJ; brothers, Richard (Linda) Danese of New Hope, PA, Anthony Danese of Rosemont, NJ; a sister, Beverly Danese of Stockton, NJ; along with many cousins; nieces; nephews; grand-nieces; and grand-nephews. However, the light of his life will always be his granddaughter, Josephina “Jojo” Danese. Although their time together was cut short, he cherished every minute spent with her, and she can always look to the sky to see her guardian angel, “Pop-Pop,” guiding and keeping watch over her as she grows up.

In addition to his family, Greg is also survived by his closest friends, fondly known as “The Deplorables” or the “Stockton Coffee Crew.” They met daily, “solving the world’s problems” by talking politics, history, and anything else worth discussing. Many thanks to Dave Anderson, Bob Burke, Tony Canike, Tim Ennis, Steve Golterman, Mike Hessington, Kenny Isler, Peter “Kool” Isler, Pat Lawson, Pete Mancuso, Bob Mauer, Barbara Melson, Jerry (Florence) Moonan, John (Cathy) Risch, Surinder Singh, Ric Svetan, Mindy Treceno, Don Veth, Tyler Veth, Jack Williamson, and his closest buddy, John “Shavy” Shurts, for not only being friends, but family. The coffee crew will never be the same without “The Hawk” there.

Special thanks to Jim (Linda) Lauro, Colin (Sandy) Peterson, and Lee (Cathie) Ragsdale for all they have done for Greg and his family these past few months.

Greg will truly be missed and deeply mourned by all of his family and friends. He was one in a million, and our loss is Heaven’s gain. He will always be remembered for his kindness, modesty, generosity, friendliness, witty sense of humor, social personality, and his love for family, friends, his pets and life. His memory and legacy will always live on through Amy, Alex, Francesca and Josephina.

Greg will lie in repose on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Peter Chakkunny on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 44 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at church on Friday morning beginning at 10:15 a.m. and to follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Burial with military honors will follow at Rosemont Cemetery, 100 Kingwood Stockton Road, Rosemont, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Greg’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Greg’s memory may be made via mail to the Stockton Volunteer Fire Company, via mail to 9 Mill Street, Stockton, NJ, 08559, or online by clicking HERE, or to St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, via mail to 44 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ, 08530, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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