Our Obituaries

Mr. Alexander Grech Jr. of Port Jervis, N.Y. passed away on November 1, 2018. He was 93. He was born in Jerome, Pennsylvania on March 16, 1925. He was the son of Alexander and Pauline Babey Grech. He married Betty Jean Spears on January 29, 1950. They were married just shy of 67 years. Betty passed on January 16, 2017. Also predeceased are his sisters, Ann Caley and Mary Bray, and brother Russell Grech. Family was everything. Alex is survived by his children, Kathleen Pepper and Martin Mann of Port Jervis, Stephanie Lovato of Harwinton, Connecticut, his son, Alexander Grech, III and his wife Phyllis of St. Johnsbury, Vermont and Bridget Grech-Mehedin of Port Jervis, N.Y. Also, surviving him are his beloved grandchildren; Heather Lane and her husband Daniel, Robert Pepper and his fiancé Clarissa, Ryan Pepper, Tracey and Jonathan Nelson, Jeffrey Lovato and his wife Charleen, Jason and Jeremy Lovato, Elizabeth Grech, Julianne Grech, Alexander Grech, IV, Christopher Mehedin and his fiancée Ashley Thompson, and Nicholas Mehedin. His great grandchildren are; Owen, Max, Jake, Mackenzie, Joey, Erin, Miranda and Lexi. There are also several nieces and nephews. Alex will be sadly missed by his canine buddy and pal, “Charley”. Charley will miss Alex’s love, getting up with the sun, and their daily long walks about town.Alex attended St. Mary’s School in Port Jervis, N.Y. and graduated from Port Jervis Senior High School. He is also a graduate of the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He was a lifetime member of Delta Chi Fraternity. Prior to his university experiences, Alex served in the military of the United States of America. After the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, Alex at the age of 16, became a United States Marine. He joined the 4th Marine Parachute Battalion. After this battalion disbanded, Alex became part of the newly formed 5th Marine Division Fleet. Later, Alex was part of Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Division, 27th Marines, 3rd Battalion. His battalion’s mission was to support the front lines, with the overall sole purpose of securing the island of Iwo Jima. Once a Marine, always a Marine.“We were on a very small island with little cover, Alex said. “We had nowhere to hide, and just hoped to stay alive from day to day.”“It was a chance to do my patriotic duty and to fulfill my dream as a 15-16 year old. While I lost a lot of brothers during the war, for my country I would do it all over again. I have no regrets.”Alex worked on the Erie Railroad. He retired as an Engineer after 50 years of service with New Jersey Transit.Alex was always active. He enjoyed playing volleyball and racquetball. He was a member of Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161. He was a lifetime member of Fowler Rescue and Salvage Company #3. Alex was one of the first members of the Scuba Team. He trained many novice divers. Many friends and family knew him by his nickname “Apple.” He was also a “collector extraordinaire.” Alex had a life well lived. He was an optimist. He would always say, “It’s a beautiful day.”Visitation will be held Sunday, November 4th from 1-4 at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St. Port Jervis, N.Y. Prayers will be offered at 3:30 P.M. Sunday, with Reverend Billy Clark officiating. Military honors will follow. Internment will be private. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note visit knight-auchmoody.com