Tributes
Leave a TributeYou were in my heart today as I planted trees. It was a good day to be outside and I can always feel you when I breathe the sun filled air. The sounds and smells and 'feels' of all things outdoors ground me just like they did you.
All things connected. Forever together in all days and all ways.
I know you are watching over. You see your family. I know you do.
You're smiling over us and holding us close, even when times are dark. Especially then.
All things connected.
Forever together.
I miss you ....still. And, as always, I keep you in my heart.
Happy Birthday Big Brother.
Thing is, they still do. I KNOW people remember you with great love and admiration. I was blessed to hear from a friend from Rolscreen recently who, upon thinking back about you, googled you. Which I know you don't even know what that means, but it means you meant enough to him that he tried to find you so that he could embrace that friendship again. Thanks Don. It means a lot to know that people still want to reach out to Greg, after all of these years. I can't be surprised though, because some people leave a pretty big impression on our hearts. You were one of those people Greg.
So, I say once again; "To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die."
We were not only co-workers but very good friends for those 5 years. I was living in Oregon in 1986 when I got the call about Greg’s death.
Greg was a popular person, and successful manager, respected by the people he supervised, his co-workers, and the upper management also. I was thinking recently about Greg, and how proud he was of his boys, he always showed the latest pictures at our morning Manager’s meeting each morning. I Googled his name & Oskaloosa & hit this site.
So I thought I would leave a tribute.
Greg McVay was a fine individual, the kind of man people would say is “a good guy”. He was always an easy going guy, but if you wanted a good person to be in a fox hole in a war zone with you, Greg was one of those people who would be resolute in any time of adversity where he was present.
Yes, Greg was Good Guy who died way too young....
You were born 65 years ago. You lived 32 of those. I enjoyed having you as my brother for 26 of those. But you’ve always been with me. I hope this memorial helps keep your memory alive for more than just me. Happy Birthday Greg.
My vigils here through, they make me appreciate life and remind me 'to' LIVE. Live each day like you did. If I can just try to do that, I can maybe make sense of the losses in my life. In everyone's life. Things here have gotten pretty crazy Greg. Seems harder to see the light sometimes in this busy world and I often think of the old days when life was less busy and memories were made and remembered only in our minds and not on Facebook.
Even though it's busy and so very complicated in this world now, I know that it would be just a little easier with you here. I think all the time about all the things we might have done together. How you might have been a part of my world, helped me with things and let me help you with things. I feel bad I never got the chance to be the adult sister you could count on too. I was still young and ungrounded.
Just know, I adored you Greg. I looked up to you like all little sisters do when they have a hero for a big brother. You were a superhero to more people than me. So, I just want to say that I'm thinking of you. And I know they are too.
Say hello to your folks and.my dad.
Tom
journey home was a good journey. We have missed you dear cousin, Greg.... Say hello to Sam & Marty AND my mom & dad..... see you
when it is my turn to walk that journey too. I love you.... Beth
I treasure every memory of you still.
I think of your helping hands when things need repair.
I struggle for your steady nature when life is crazy.
I ponder your day to day life if you were still here.
I hang onto you when I feel life is too big.
I rest my head on your chest when I need family.
I remember your loving teasing when I feel alone.
I channel the feeling a gift from you gave.
I seek to reflect you when I catch myself failing.
I sense your calm in the midst of frenzy.
I center myself when your eyes see me.
I strive for your sense of friendship.
I keep in me your generosity.
I fill up from the love you still give.
I grieve for the moments missed.
I gleam with your humor and laugh.
I redeem myself reaching for your character.
I breathe in the earth and sky and stars and think of you.
I hold you in my heart forever.... still.
You affect me, teach me and guide me....still.
Thank you big brother. I miss you... but mostly I remember you...still.
And part of me aches because it's been so long since I have heard your voice, laughed with you, had 'Greg' Pizza with you.... But today, I celebrate your birth. You were born and you lived and lived well. And I won't forget you big brother. You are in my heart and there you'll stay.
Thank you
Unconditional love. I think in many ways I took that phrase for granted until so much of it left this earth for me. Now, I can only cherish it and try not to live in regret. ....and have the same unconditional love for those who are still here.
Greg, you lived. I won't let the memory of you die. I promise.
I wish I had known him better, knowing how much you love him and how much impact he had on your life.
Shannon
Please feel free to share his Forever Missed address with anyone you think may want to share something about Greg.
Leave a Tribute
You were in my heart today as I planted trees. It was a good day to be outside and I can always feel you when I breathe the sun filled air. The sounds and smells and 'feels' of all things outdoors ground me just like they did you.
All things connected. Forever together in all days and all ways.
I know you are watching over. You see your family. I know you do.
You're smiling over us and holding us close, even when times are dark. Especially then.
All things connected.
Forever together.
I miss you ....still. And, as always, I keep you in my heart.









Yes, Greg was Good Guy who died way too young
Greg McVay and I were both Cost Center Managers together at Pella Corp (Rolscreen) from 1977 until 1982. We both reported to the same General Foreman and supervised Window Assembly lines that were side by side.
We were not only co-workers but very good friends for those 5 years. I was living in Oregon in 1986 when I got the call about Greg’s death.
Greg was a popular person, and successful manager, respected by the people he supervised, his co-workers, and the upper management also. I was thinking recently about Greg, and how proud he was of his boys, he always showed the latest pictures at our morning Manager’s meeting each morning. I Googled his name & Oskaloosa & hit this site.
So I thought I would leave a tribute.
Greg McVay was a fine individual, the kind of man people would say is “a good guy”. He was always an easy going guy, but if you wanted a good person to be in a fox hole in a war zone with you, Greg was one of those people who would be resolute in any time of adversity where he was present.
Yes, Greg was Good Guy who died way too young....
I think back in those days we were on different bowling teams, but we always had a lot of fun when our teams boweled aginst each other. Sure missed him, still do. Doc
Greg and I spent several summers in high school as unseperatable. Greg and I where the same age, but in different classes. Gregs brother Denny and My brother Art grew up together, got into and out of trouble together, and Graduated together, so it was a natural thing for us. Not sure Gregs mom agreed but I sure thought a lot of her and Sam. Those couple of summers when we weren't working we spent our time at lake Keomah and had more fun than two guys ot to of had. We also went to Birch Island lake in Wisconsin with My Dad. My Dad always thought alot of both Denny and Greg and he always referrd to Greg as the "Rasler" because Greg was good at it and talked about it at that time alot. Then we meet Mary and they asked me to be in there wedding, and I was very proud!.. My Largest regrett about our lives together was that it ended way to fast and abrupt. I was out of the country with my work and we got the call from the people who where watching our children, that Greg had Died. Deb and I where shocked of course and really regerted it that we wheren't there at the funeral for all of you. And yes I do think of him often, he was a great Guy. When you see him next ask him just how fast your Dads Mercury could get us from Osky to New Sharon. Tom.