<p>Throughout the weekend the Vineyard mourned the loss of the longtime West Tisbury moderator and well-known Islander, who was the victim of a robbery and homicide on a remote hiking trail in northern California Friday. Mr. Gregory was 69.</p>
The Vineyard is mourning the loss of F. Patrick Gregory, the longtime West Tisbury town moderator and Vineyard Haven businessman who was found dead on a remote hiking trail in northern California Friday.
The Tehama County Sheriff’s department confirmed Saturday that Mr. Gregory was the victim of a robbery and homicide; his hiking companion was also shot and critically injured and was in stable condition in a hospital in Chico, Calif., over the weekend.
The sheriff’s department said Mr. Gregory and his companion, a 76-year-old man from Manton, Calif., whose name had not been released, were hiking the Iron Canyon Trail north of Red Bluff in Tehama County late Friday morning. The trail is part of the Sacramento River Bend Oustanding Natural Area, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Authorities said between 11:30 am and noon, Mr. Gregory and his companion encountered a man who produced a firearm and demanded money and personal effects from the victims. “After the robbery was completed, the suspect then shot the victims and left them in the remote area about 100 yards from the trail head,” a press release said.
The two men were found by another hiker three hours later who returned to the trailhead to notify emergency services. Mr. Gregory died at the scene, authorities said. His hiking companion was treated at the scene by paramedics and airlifted to a nearby hospital. A manhunt was under way over the weekend for the suspect, who was still at large. Police detectives were were circulating a description for the suspect and seeking assistance and information from the public.
Flowers appeared on front steps of EduComp building Sunday afternoon.
Flowers appeared on front steps of EduComp building Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Gregory, 69, was well known on the Vineyard where he lived year round in West Tisbury and had taught mathematics in the elementary school. He was the owner of EduComp, a computer and art supply store located in the brick building at the head of Main street Vineyard Haven. He was married with grown children, had served on many boards and had been a soccer coach and referee. He had been the West Tisbury town moderator for 23 years.
The news of his death stunned the Island and expressions of mourning were seen and heard throughout the weekend.
A moment of silence was held at the start of a town picnic at the public saftey building late Saturday.On Sunday morning the town hall flag flew at half staff and the selectmen issued a statement. On Sunday afternoon flowers were placed on the front steps of the EduComp building with an oversized card that people could sign. It said "We Miss You Pat."
At day's end an informal gathering was held at Lambert's Cove Beach. People joined hands in a large circle as the setting sun scudded in and out of gathering clouds on a cool May day.
“Our hearts break for his family,” said Cynthia Mitchell, a West Tisbury selectman and friend, earlier in the weekend.
“The West Tisbury board of selectmen, with great sorrow, wishes to express its deep shock and sadness at the tragic death of long time town moderator Pat Gregory,” the selectmen said in the statement. “Our hearts go out to Pat’s family and friends and we offer our deepest condolences.
West Tisbury town moderator for 23 years.
West Tisbury town moderator for 23 years.
“Pat had served the town for 23 years as its always calm and collected moderator. We will miss his company and light touch at town meetings.
“We know we speak for all of West Tisbury and the Island when we say that we will join his family and friends to honor and celebrate his memory.”
In an interview with the Gazette several years ago, Mr. Gregory said he was inspired to run for the job of moderator by his experience as a teacher at the West Tisbury school. He said running a town meeting was not unlike running a classroom.
“You want to move things along, so the germane arguments are heard, but you don’t take forever to get done. I try to ensure no individual dominates, and reasonable voices on both sides are heard,” he said, adding: “Democracy works. That’s the bottom line. It’s pretty inspiring.”
Comments
We are in shock and disbelief
Sig Van Raan West Tisbury/NYCWe are in shock and disbelief Pat was one of those people who was a true mensch - kind, gentle, compassionate. He was the epitome of what this island community is all about at its best. and he represented the best of who we are - the cruelty of his death and the way he died is stunningly sad and makes no sense. We grieve.!!!!!!
Needless to say I was stunned
John Alley West TisburyNeedless to say I was stunned and shocked upon hearing the awful news this evening. My sincere condolances to Dorothy and the family.
A sad and terrible loss in so
Bob Lane Oak BluffsA sad and terrible loss in so many ways. During his tenure at The West Tisbury School Pat helped conceptualize and bring to reality "School's Out", the informational paper for tourists, which became and still is the major funding source for the West Tisbury School's eighth grade annual British Exchange. This single act made the exchange possible for hundreds and hundreds of students regardless of their family's financial situation. It also has been a great teaching tool showing students how publishing works and the value of the written word. Pat also loved to play pick up basketball. On many occaisions, back in the 90s when I also played, it was often my (impossible) task to guard Pat. Despite the fact that he was a scoring and rebounding machine I usually felt pretty good if I could just keep up with the man. And even though he could have blocked most of my shots he more often than not gave me the opportunity to shoot as if to say "Let's see what you got!" I know Pat will be sorely missed by so many. Bob Lane
A senseless end to an
Susan Oken West TisburyA senseless end to an extraordinary man who encompassed all the finer qualities that any human can aspire to. He will be missed by so many. He exemplified kindness, intelligence and a way of being in the world that we shall all remember. An shocking loss.
He will be sorely missed. Susan Oken
I am so sorry to hear of your
Heather Igarta Red Bluff, CaI am so sorry to hear of your loss of what sounds like a wonderful man. My family hikes the Iron Canyon trail often and it is a beautiful hike overlooking the Sacramento River. Our community here in Red Bluff, CA is in shock that such a tragedy like this could even happen in our rural, sleepy town. I grieve for your loss. I would have never thought they would be in any danger whatsoever! I am so sorry.
Dear Heather Igarta - it was
Shirley W. Mayhew West TisburyDear Heather Igarta - it was very kind of you to write - there are about 16,000 people on our island mourning the murder of a man everyone dearly loved, whether they knew him personally or not. I am sad for you that it happened in your town......
This is a terrible tragedy!
Donna Davey Oak BluffsThis is a terrible tragedy! My sincere sympathy, prayers and healing thoughts to the family and friends of Mr. Gregory.
I am completely shocked by
Linda Haigazian Oak Bluffs MAI am completely shocked by this senseless murder of such a beautiful & caring man.
We worked together on the soccer field many years ago & I still remember how passionate he was in everything he did.
Bless him, his friend and their families.
How truly sad.
When i heard of the event, i
barry Rosenthal weymouth massWhen i heard of the event, i went into a surreal daze. One minute a great, kind, loved person who gave so much to family, friends and his community was gone. gone. The many Tuesday nights that we played poker together was a tradition that endeared me to Pat even more. This is a huge loss for the Island. He was so alive and such a good soul. My heart goes out to Dorothy and the kids.
I cannot make any sense about why Pat was taken suddenly. We all loved him.
What a heartrending tragedy.
Jaj Halperin West TisburyWhat a heartrending tragedy.
What a senseless loss of a
Julian Wise ChilmarkWhat a senseless loss of a wonderful member of the community.
Our island has lost a true
Connie Andrade EdgartownOur island has lost a true hero, one that taught so many both children and adults. How do you say goodbye to such an amazing person to such a senseless death. Most of us lead a very sheltered life here, a safe life, to hear the way our own was taken is both sad and angering. I pray that justice will be done. We shall all gather around his family and help in any way possible. God bless you Pat and thank you for all you've done for our island.
On an island where we all
Christopher Knowles Vineyard Haven, MassachusettsOn an island where we all cross paths from time to time, Pat's was always a face which made me feel good about living here. I first got to know him as a businessman, then as a referee for two of my sons' soccer games. His was a presence which added class to any occasion. I will miss him and I offer my condolences to his family and share in the grief with my friends.
Pat was such a huge part of
Ty Johnston West TisburyPat was such a huge part of our island experience and we were truly shocked when we heard the news of his death. As a neighbor and a friend, he was a cheerful, calm, and enthusiastic person -- one of those few great people that one meets in life. My prayers and blessings go out to Dorothy and children. Pat indeed will be missed.
I first came to know Pat
Valentine Estabrook West TisburyI first came to know Pat through my business. He was so very smart. He was always there to help, advise and solve problems. Through the years my respect for Pat grew as I came to know him as the moderator of our town meetings. Moderating a town meeting is not an easy job. Pat was masterful in conducting the proceedings and, most impressively, he never failed to show respect for every speaker and every idea presented. I will miss Pat.
The shocking, horrible,
Alice Thompson Oak BluffsThe shocking, horrible, tragic death of Pat is breaking my heart. What a kind gentle soul he was and will always be. The world has lost a real gem and heaven has gained an angel.
I've known Pat Gregory for 45
Jerry Visconti Vineyard Haven, MAI've known Pat Gregory for 45 years ........ He was my High School Geometry teacher in Watertown, NY .... later I worked for Pat at a summer camp in Rindge, NH ....... a good man and He will surly be missed
What tragic news. All of us
Kathy Oakes Watertown, NYWhat tragic news. All of us at IHC remember Mr. Gregory well. Such a senseless act. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP.
I was a young camper at that
Judy RATZEL Bethlehem nhI was a young camper at that camp in Rindge, and although I only knew Pat as my camp director for a short period, he had a lasting impression on me. He contributed to my youth, and it helped shaped me into who I am today. You will be missed.
Pat was one of the nicest men
Len Morris Vineyard HavenPat was one of the nicest men I've met in my years on the Island. We are deeply saddened.
Len and Georgia Morris
The ugliness and cruelty of
Lorraine Parish Vineyard HavenThe ugliness and cruelty of the outside world has pierced the safe , loving "bubble" we all experience and cherish here on the Vineyard. Are we safe anywhere, doing even the most innocence of things as a walk in the woods? Pat was truly a kind and generous human being and heaven as Alice said, has gained an angle. I will never grasp the reality of this and frankly I choose not to. My prayers to all of his family and friends.
Speechless with sorrow.
Jan Pogue EdgartownSpeechless with sorrow.
How horrible is this news!
Marshall Segall West TisburyHow horrible is this news!
"Kind, gentle, wise, calm, a real gem, an angel", so say, with poignant validity,the many Island residents, who, like me, feel deep pain and loss. What meaningfully can be added to their expressions of bewilderment over the senseless act of a merciless gun-bearing killer? Like so many on this peaceful island of ours, I valued, respected, and admired Pat, in all his roles, our town moderator, our office- & art-supply shopkeeper, and friend to many. When I needed hands-on help with a home computer, he arrived with little delay and made everything work perfectly, transforming chaos into order.
Might we, in his honor, take action locally to affirm our opposition to the gun lobbies, the NRA, the gun manufacturers, and others who must share the blame for the sorry state of gun controls in our country? Might Pat's tragic death inspire us to mount an effective campaign to keep guns under lock and key, except during hunting season, and then allow their use for sport shooting only in a carefully monitored manner? Just as the Brady Law was enacted in response to political assassination, let us initiate a campaign to draft a Gregory Law in response to a fatal armed robbery.
By doing so here on Martha's Vineyard, we might stimulate a nation-wide campaign to reduce these terrible, otherwise meaningless, losses. While nothing will ease our collective shock and pain, acting against irresponsible gun use might be a step in a positive direction for humanity ... and bestow further honor on the name Pat Gregory.
While you are surely entitled
Lisa Bassett West TisburyWhile you are surely entitled to your opinion, please let people grieve and fact find before you seemingly reduce a truly senseless act into a political position. Many of us are too heartbroken to bear it right now.
Lisa Bassett, my sentiments
Truthteller CALisa Bassett, my sentiments exactly. My parents are dead, my husband is dead, two sisters are dead, my son just died, please, please, please, no politics, how insensitive can people be? My condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Mr. Gregory. RIP.
Thank you Lisa Bassett, that
BMThank you Lisa Bassett, that needed saying!
My condolences go out to all
H.C. OBMy condolences go out to all who knew and loved this man... it seems as though to know him was to love him, and those who had the opportunity to do so were obviously blessed in many ways by his generosity of spirit.
While the chance to come together and leave comments filled with memories and shared sentiments is wonderful, and I respect each person's right to express how a community tragedy such as this has effected them, I cannot help but bristle against using this as a platform for a political conversation. This is not the time, nor the place.
A close personal friend for
Leslie J. Stark Vineyard HavenA close personal friend for ten years whose advice I sought on every major decision. A model citizen, a man of rectitude. A wise, caring, patient person who treated everyone with respect. A larger-than-life presence on this Island; an irreplaceably huge loss to the entire Vineyard community. I am still stunned with this extremely sad news, wishing for Dorothy and the family some measure of comfort at this painful time.
My mind keeps saying not Pat
Sandy Lally Clinton , New YorkMy mind keeps saying not Pat , not this way. It is difficult to comprehend this senseless act to such a beautiful person. Heartfelt condolences to Dorothy and family trying to deal with this pain and loss .
My son and my Grandchildren
Virginia Carbon EdgartownMy son and my Grandchildren have lost a great man on every level. My friend Dorothy a loving husband, and My dear Shannon loved her father so much, and her brother Tim. I am blessed to have my son Danny marry into this family. I loved working with them, happy days at Educomp. There was no better Grandfather, and just a good person. We will all miss him and I will take comfort just knowing this great man who I could call the best of friends.
I'm so sorry for your loss,
Betsy EdgatownI'm so sorry for your loss, the island is less, due to the absence of Pat.
My heart goes out to you all,
Kate Jarrell DeCarvalho Barrington, RIMy heart goes out to you all, Mrs. Carbon. What a beautiful combination of Island families, both of whom I feel lucky to have grown up with. I will be thinking of you all as you make it through these difficult days.
Joel and I are so saddened by
Elaine Cawley Weintraub West TisburyJoel and I are so saddened by this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with Dorothy, Shannon and Timmy. What a cruel loss
We send our heartfelt
Peggy and Carol Tileston Philadelphia, PAWe send our heartfelt condolences to the Gregory family and to Pat's extended Island family that included all those who came into contact with him - we all knew we were in the presence of a good man.
My thoughts and prayers go
jean hay vineyard havenMy thoughts and prayers go out to Pat's wife and family and friends and really to all of us who are stunned and shocked by this terrible loss. It is a measure of how many of us Pat touched through his resourceful leadership, his spirit and his abiding faith in democracy and his teaching gifts. Not only did he teach math to the young but he helped many of us who did not grow up with computers become more literate with this technology. He would be the first to appreciate our ability to share with one another in this forum in our early efforts to take in this wrenching loss.
I remember Mr. Gregory as a
Peter laager Alexandria, VirginiaI remember Mr. Gregory as a very nice man. He picked me up one very cold day in Watertown, NY as I was walking home from school . On another occasion I wore a uniform that I had from the Civil Air Patrol to school one day. It looked just like an Air Force dress uniform. I saw poor mr. G
'S mouth drop to the floor as he thought I had enlisted!
This is so sad and shocking.
Tom Allen Arlington MaThis is so sad and shocking. I grew up with both Pat and Dorothy in Plattsburgh , NY and reconnected with them when we began visiting the Vineyard in the 80's. What a loss. Pat, I'm pretty sure Carole and I owed you a dinner at Lamberts Cove Inn. We love you.
I am so sad and shocked at
Judy Corr Vineyard Haven, MaI am so sad and shocked at this horrible and senseless act to a wonderful kind, patient and warm man. My heartfelt condolences to Dorothy and family.
A random act of violence ends
Benoit Baldwin West TisburyA random act of violence ends the life of a man full of random acts of kindness. When Pat Gregory hired me at Educomp, I had put off getting my wisdom teeth pulled for too long, and had no money saved for the operation. He loaned me the money himself. It was a considerable sum for someone he had just come to know personally. There are hundreds of stories of his private generosities large and small. The idea that anyone could not be successful simply did not enter his mind, and he would have personally guided each and every one on Earth to success if he had the time. My last conversation with Pat was a few days before the 2014 West Tisbury town meeting. He returned my call from his home, and thoughtfully answered my questions about the upcoming meeting. He was, as always, gently persuasive in moderating a hot-tempered voice, and in suggesting alternative paths to achieve what I had in mind. This is a heartbreaking loss. He will not be forgotten. My deepest condolences to Dorothy, Shannon, Tim, and the rest of his family--which, truly, was all of us.
It is hard for me to process
Liz Hyde Marshfield, MAIt is hard for me to process the loss of a man like Pat to such a senseless act of violence. I cannot imagine the Island without Pat. My heart goes out to the family.
While reading the local paper
June A. DeSilva Healdsburg, CAWhile reading the local paper, here in California, I was shocked, and saddened to read about the senseless robbery, and death of Pat Gregory. When I lived on the Vineyard, I spent many hours at EduComp, and found Pat to always be pleasant, and helpful. My sincere condolences to his family.
Lord, have mercy.
sara piazza edgLord, have mercy.
Leave it to my good old
Fred Connelly Springfield, MOLeave it to my good old friend Sara to say it all in three words.
I had Mr. Gregory as a math
Karen Lawler Lynch Antwerp, NYI had Mr. Gregory as a math teacher in the early 70's at IHC in Watertown,NY, what a great teacher and wonderful man. My condolences to his family, I will keep you in prayer.
shocking and so sad.. I pray
Dee Dice Florence MAshocking and so sad.. I pray for Dorthy and their entire family and all of those who Pat touched. He helped me buy my first cash register ever for EDEN and both he and Dorthy have been so helpful and kind ever since, as is their nature. So Sad...
I am stunned and saddened by
Dondi Stojak Nantucket MAI am stunned and saddened by this senseless tragedy. I have worked with Pat for many years and even in the most chaotic situations Pat had a calmness about him. He was such a kind sweet man and he will be missed by many. I will remember his happy smile and how much Pat loved talking about his family especially his grandchildren. My condolences to his family and his extended family at Educomp.
I, too, am stunned by this
Marjory Potts West TisburyI, too, am stunned by this too sad news. Pat was one of our daughter Phoebe's first Island teachers over thirty years ago. His was a presence that made me feel all was well with this world, steady and sane. My heart goes out to Dorothy and their children.
I was always amazed by Pat's
Niki Patton West TisburyI was always amazed by Pat's ability to keep his 'eyes on the prize.' Martin Luther King said we don't mature until we can focus on something larger than ourselves and as WT moderator Pat was able to listen to all the passionate voices of our town on any given issue -- pro, con and sometimes over the top -- then focus beyond that on the larger picture, which was that our debates and our arguments represent the best of democracy in action -- played out on a very local and vocal level. He was a remarkable man. He will be sorely missed.
My brother and I grew up with
John Fitzgerald Weymouth Mass.My brother and I grew up with Pat in New York , he was agreat man he will be missed my prayers go out to his family.
Our Class of '70 at IHC in
Christine Hentz Buffalo, NYOur Class of '70 at IHC in Watertown NY may have been "Mr. Gregoy's" first teaching gig. He had the energy and character of a very special person and I feel lucky that I had him for a teacher. He actually crossed my mind last week, and I told a friend about this remarkable math 11 teacher I had in high school. We'll never truly know how and to what extent we touch each other's lives. I see Pat's touched so many. No surprise really. May God hold him in the hollow of His Hand.
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