Category: Family and Childhood Friends (1952-1970)

When we were growing up, and much like other siblings, our nicknames evolved weirdly.

Greg-Grag-Ragamuffin-Muffin-Muff

Leslie-Lester-Pester-Sapester-Sap

Somehow these names stuck through adulthood and it was common for us to greet each other by Muff or Sap! We always laughed when those names were used. Witness the imaginative poem I received one birthday about 30 years ago, complete with a graphic origin drawing 😂

“There once was an old maple tree

Too old to make syrup was she

So she spit out her tap

A young girl of sap

And everyone knew her as Leslie.”

Gregory was my big brother. We were only three years apart in age and while he pursued his own interests and likewise I did too, there was always a bond between us that lasted our lifetime. There were some gaps while we entered different phases of our lives but we always managed to stay connected in some capacity. After my husband passed away 4 years ago, he stepped up in his own way to look after me, as if it were now his responsibility. No matter how capable and confident I was, I appreciated him acknowledging he cared about me, showing an ongoing interest in my life and sharing more of his with me – he was always someone to laugh with, cry with, celebrate with and help each other remember our common bonds. A connection to our past. Gregory and I shared this connection and his death has left a void in my heart and soul but our memories together will always make me smile and warm my heart.

Gregory, Leslie and Doug became step-sibs to my brothers Ed and Jeff and me when we were all teenagers.  I remember Gregory’s keen wit and good nature as we shared weekends, holidays and the occasional family camping trip.  I’m so glad I finally made it to visit Betsie and Gregory in Rochester last summer along with Leslie and Barbara.  He will be greatly missed.

My brother Gregory whittled this back in the mid 70’s and gave it to me while I was in college. It’s often been a conversation piece when people notice it sitting on a prominent shelf in my home and ask about it. He always promised that he would add another link or two but time seemed to have gotten away from us as other projects and events took precedence i.e. plumbing repairs, cribbage games, cooking curries, reminiscing … all time well spent and cherished with my brother.

For the past couple of years, we kept up a daily Wordle exchange ritual. He liked to work the puzzle first thing in the morning and share it while I liked to wait until I saw how many tries it took him. At first he was predictable using the same word with lots of vowels for his initial guess. I used that information against him and knew some letters based on his first guess. Some would call it cheating but after I told him what I had been up to he considered it as resourcefulness. Needless to say, he started using different first words after that! He usually made a comment about how well or poor he did that day and whether he thought it was a good or dumb word. It was a nice connection between us to have some daily contact and I truly miss it. I still work the puzzle every day but now it feels empty to not click the Share button with him.

I was always glad to spend holidays with Uncle Gregory- you never knew what was going to end up happening after dinner! Anything from spinning each other around on a disk to show centrifugal force, getting out the clarinets, guitars, drums, and any other instruments for a song along, to an impromptu ju-jitsu demonstration or looking at the rings of Saturn through his homemade telescope. I will miss these times together but am so glad for the memories!

Barbara Bryant Arnett

My dad and I went to visit DK in September of 2001. DK was working at Denali Backcountry Lodge, which was 90 miles into Denali National Park. It was a great trip!

Yonk

Gregory and I have two grandsons. Zedric/Zed son of Michelle and Yonk will be two in August 2025. Kai, son of Collin and Claire will be five in November. As they get more mobile and verbal, it’s fun to see them develop a sweet relationship as cousins.  Gregory enjoys them both, even if he fell asleep on the job occasionally! G indulged Kai’s interest in robots by building one with him…no motor yet! We took Kai on his first overnight hike last summer up the Quinault River- just 2 miles in.  If you’re interested in bloodlines, Kai has some of mine, Zed has G’s.