Shrewsbury – Tuesday, April 29, 2014, Gregory P. Calimeris died doing what he absolutely loved: working out with friends at Crossfit in Boylston, and while running, he unexpectedly collapsed. He was 36.
On September 23, 1977 in Worcester, George H. and Linda S. (Trautman) Calimeris welcomed to their lives, family, and the world with the joy only parents know, their son Greg.
Greg was raised in Shrewsbury, where he graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1995 and captained the football team. He then earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Westfield State College. Employment took him to New York City where he worked as a recruiter for Robert Half Associates and had an apartment across the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey with good friend, Matt Moore. He later returned to Boston to work in the same field for Daley & Associates.
Greg would later learn that God would grant him the serenity to accept the things he could not change; courage to change the things he could; and wisdom to know the difference. Starting his new vocation in the mental health field, he worked at Plymouth House in Plymouth, NH and then became a clinician and counselor for Spring Hill Recovery Center in Ashby. Greg recently completed his Master's Degree in Counseling at Johnson State College in Johnson, Vermont. He loved his work. As a friend Greg was fiercely loyal, trustworthy, strong, honest, and open. He made an impact and difference in so many people's lives. He gave of himself to others with all his heart, mind, body, and spirit. He had a terrific sense of humor, and if he poked fun at you, it was because he loved you. He loved movies and had a knack for remembering lines, actors, and scenes. Simply stated “Cali” loved life.
His passion was athletics and sports. He balanced his life with work, family, friends and staying active and physically fit. Greg remained on a wait list for 10 years to become a season ticket holder for the Patriots. His seats were way up in the nosebleed section, but he loved them because he proclaimed it's where the real fans and down to earth people were. Another love included the ocean, in particular West Dennis and Seagull Beaches on the Cape. He would sit on the beach, soak in the sun, and breathe in the freshness of the sea and breathe out the cares of the day.
We now trust that Greg was welcomed into heaven by God and his grandparents, Margaret and Rudy (Pagano) Trautman and Angelo and Mildred (Pallengoury) Calimeris.
Greg knew that family is where life begins and love never ends. In addition to his parents, George and Linda, he leaves his sister, Lauren C. Kocman, her husband, Daniel, and their dog, Alta, of Pittsford, New York; aunts and uncles, including Peggy and Joseph Marzillli, Maryanne and Carl Dickmann, Paul and Donna Calimeris, Elaine Crabtree, Olga and Bill Trepsas, Christine and Herbert O’Connor; many cousins including his best friend, Tommy Marzilli; and a host of wonderful friends.
Good night sweet prince and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Family and friends will honor and remember Greg's life by gathering for calling hours at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Sunday, May 4, from 4 – 8 p.m., and again Monday morning in The First Congregational Church, 19 Church Rd., where his funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. The Rev. Lynne Dolan will officiate. The procession will then walk to his burial in Mountain View Cemetery.
Honor Greg's passion for helping others with a contribution to The Plymouth House, 446 Main St., Plymouth, NH 03264.
