This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Greg McVay, 32 years old, born on October 15, 1953, and passed away on March 2, 1986. We will remember him forever.
If you were here now, we'd have a birthday celebration. But since you are in our hearts we celebrate you each and every day. You're a part of us and we'll never be without that. You helped shape each of us who were lucky enough to have you in our lives, even if only for a short time. And that is how we live on, knowing we have been changed for the better because you touched us.
Happy Birthday Big Brother.
Happy Birthday Big Brother.
It is difficult to put into words what a big brother means to a younger sister. They are our protectors, our teachers, our role models and they can give a girl a confidence that no one else can, when they recognize us for who we are and let us be that person, and love us no matter what. Greg was all of those and more to his little sister. You are missed in a big way Greg. Love to you wherever you are in this universe.
Gone 35 years today but not gone from our hearts, Greg. Your life still gives me inspiration to live strong. When I feel weak or beaten by life, as has sometimes been the case this past year with this world wide pandemic, I can think of you and find my strength. Thank you for living your life to the fullest and setting the example of living with love, fun and generosity. You're still my hero. I miss you so much big brother.
Grief can transform to joy as we remember our lost brothers as they were in childhood. Young boys have such a vibrancy to them and it shows in the photos that have been posted of Greg, and of his sons. Blessings to all who love and miss Greg.
Happy 66th Birthday Greg. I can't believe you would have been this old as it just means I'm almost 60. Too many years without you in our lives Big Brother. I still miss you EVERY day. That damn screen door at Mom and Dad's. I needed you to help me fix it. But you were gone and that was the first time it really sunk in. Ever since then, there have been many times I needed you and I never had a chance to pay you back for all the times you did help me out. And there were a lot of those times. I think about that a lot-how we could have helped each other out with projects and hang out and have a beer or two. I'm sorry we didn't get to hang out while we both aged. But I just wanted you to know today that I still want to celebrate your Birthday. It was a GREAT day that you came into the world. You touched so many lives. And we'll never forget you. Happy Birthday Bro.
Taking some time to remember....Thinking of you today and every day Greg. 33 years ago today our world turned upside down. So many people affected by the loss of their; friend, their cool boss, co-worker, employee, hunting/fishing/camping/boating buddy, brother in law, son in law, cousin, Uncle, brother from another mother, big brother, little brother, Son, Husband and Father. All of that love poured out to you...not only then, but before, throughout your life, you drew good people to you who loved to be around you. I knew you were special and everyone else did too.
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."
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."
I didn't know him well. I know how much my friend Julie misses him and holds him in her heart always. I enjoyed seeing many of these photos for the first time. He was a good guy in a world where they are sometimes hard to find. Bless you Greg.
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....
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....
A day late on this. Thinking of you on your Birthday Greg. 65. Wow. There are just too many things that I know we would have done over these years....it makes me sad to think about how much we missed out on sharing. I’d be giving you a hard time about turning “Medicare” age. For sure. But honestly I just wish. I wish things had turned out differently. And that you could have lived the life you had planned. Raising your boys, loving them and cheering them on. Doing all the hunting and boating and skiing and everything else you loved to do. Meeting your first grandchild. Saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. Death steals time away.
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.
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.
I wish I had a chance to get to know you and you me. I find myself having a roller coaster of emotion, sadness, anger, frustration, all within a minute thinking about all the things I don't even know that I missed. I know you've positively impacted many lives, and that's a legacy to be proud of.
I come here to 'see' you Greg. To see the photos and remember, the best that I can, times when things were simpler and my family was whole. It almost always makes me cry, but sometimes it's okay to cry and give permission to myself to grieve. Even though you have now been gone for as many years as you lived. That blows my mind and makes me feel a little guilty for being able to live and love in this life when you no longer can.
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.
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.
Happy 63rd Greg. I am thinking of you today and missing you as always, but knowing that your spirit lives on inside those who loved you and who you loved. I wish I could give you a card today that would make us both laugh. Big hug to my big brother on his Birthday. Somehow you still live in my world. And that makes it easier.
So many warm memories are flooding back to me! I hope that your
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
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
30 years. I cannot believe it's been that long that you've been gone.
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.
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.
I just realized (or maybe realized again) that I'm the same age as my dad when he passed away. That's pretty crazy.
Big brothers. They teach us so much. And while they might transform and leave us physically, they are always with us. We know they are here, not a big brother anymore, but still a protective guiding force in our lives. We will always be together. When my form changes, our two energies will continue to connect and recharge, side-by-side, leading and following in turn, the only permanence being love.
Happy Birthday Greg. To celebrate, my first installment of old photos of you have been uploaded with more to come. I'm digging through Mom and Dad's to dig up what I can find to add this year....it's going to be 30 years that you've been gone soon and part of me can't believe it's been that long ago that I took my last photo of you out in the back yard at Mom and Dad's holding Aaron and watching the horses...just to give him some special time even though the rest of us were inside having family time. You.....you were out there spending a special moment with your son. One of the many times you put your kids first, giving them what they needed to have the best 'life start'. I watched you leave the house with him and followed you out...to capture that moment....that decision...that part of who you were.
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.
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.
Thanks for sharing Aaron. This is an excellent reminder to everyone who spent time with Greg that they can add photos anytime to this page. Take those old paper photos out, take a picture of it with your digital camera and put it up here where we can all see it. Greg's Birthday is coming up. Let's see if we can add some more memories.
Just thinking of Dad and wanted to browse the page again and say thanks to everyone who has visited and posted. I don't remember my dad at all so all I really have are memories that others have of him.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you Linda, my dear friend, for taking time to post this and remember my brother today and for the kind comment. It is always a time to reflect when the 2nd of March approaches. I should probably remember Greg's Birthday more, but in truth, the day of his death is truly a celebration of his life for me. I try not to dwell on the sadness of missing him, but on the great memories of him and the great gift of love that he gave to his wife, extended family, friends and most of all, his two sons. I know that he would be so proud of both of them.
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.
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.
My great friend Julie is in part the wonderful person she is because she had a big brother who loved her unconditionally. Julie, I wish you peace in your heart and the growing sense of Greg's presence there.
I am remembering you today Greg. I remember you every day, but March 2nd is always a tough one. It approaches with gathering malaise, each day in February draws this day more near. I don't dread it, I don't wish it away....I only hold it shrouded like an old keepsake that only a few other people would ever be interested in. Like a flurry of memory and sensation, the day comes and purges the bits of the day 28 years ago into my mind...what my will allows anyway. It's passing brings this wistful bit of pain, but in so doing, brings your 'dash' of life to the forefront of my inner thoughts. So, for this twinge, I trade the photographs in my mind...the glimpses of your smile, your laugh, your pride, your happiness and your love. While I long for another time, I am grateful to remember them. You live in my heart big brother.
Happy Birthday Greg! The big 6-0! Can't believe it. I am getting older and I really wish you were here to see me age. I could poke fun of how you are still riding 4 wheelers and skiing at your age. Miss you Brother...Miss you. I hope somehow you can hear me talk to you when I do. It makes me feel better thinking that you can. If you can, tell Mom and Dad I love them and miss them too.
Julie, your family was a large part of ours and I miss Greg and your folks alot, and I think of them often. we will all seem them sooner than we relize, Tom.
It never gets easier to bear this day each year. I know I should try to remember all of the good times we had and how much you meant to me and how we loved each other....but sometimes all I can think of is how much I wish you were here. Feeling sorry for myself I guess.....but I miss you Greg. Even more now that Mom and Dad are gone. Every day. I SO wish you were here big brother.
Julie, I just wanted to say that I am thinking of you and your family today--Greg will be in your hearts forever. Peace and love.
Its hard to believe this year i will be the same age as dad was when he passed! The good do die young. Julie this is a nice way to remember him. Thank you. I only have a few memories of him now, but i love looking at old pics. I also wish Aaron could have had at least as much time with him as i did!
I learned to love cabbage when Greg would eat it all the time to make weight. He also used me as his wrestling practice partner at home. I put up quite a fight, and I think he even let me win sometimes. ;-)
(Randy L.) Greg and I spent many hours bucking heads on the wrestling mat. Our "wrestling room" was the cafeteria where Crandall would max out the thermostat the night before a meet so we could try to make weight. Be in peace, bro.
I didn't know Greg very well. I met him one night when you and I were out and about during our Central days. He was out with some friends from work and had a big smile and hug for you when he saw you. (I think he also tucked a fifty dollar bill into your pocket :-)
I wish I had known him better, knowing how much you love him and how much impact he had on your life.
I wish I had known him better, knowing how much you love him and how much impact he had on your life.
I know it has been 25 years but I don't think I can remember a day I haven't thought about Greg it might be fishing or hunting or just having fun and if you knew me and Greg... we did have some fun. God I miss my best friend!
I didn't know Greg, but hearing stories from Julie about him make me feel as though I did know him. This is a beautiful way to honor his memory.
Shannon
Shannon
Twenty Five Years ago today. It's hard to believe. I still miss you every day and wonder how all of our lives might have been different. I hope that some of your friends will leave a tribute to share more about you. I know that would mean a lot to Adam and Aaron and someday to Kylor.
I am creating this memorial for my brother 25 years after his death. We didn't have the internet when he died, but we do now and I want to use it to allow people to remember him with their memories, thoughts and stories.
Please feel free to share his Forever Missed address with anyone you think may want to share something about Greg.
Please feel free to share his Forever Missed address with anyone you think may want to share something about Greg.
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Recent Tributes
If you were here now, we'd have a birthday celebration. But since you are in our hearts we celebrate you each and every day. You're a part of us and we'll never be without that. You helped shape each of us who were lucky enough to have you in our lives, even if only for a short time. And that is how we live on, knowing we have been changed for the better because you touched us.
Happy Birthday Big Brother.
Happy Birthday Big Brother.
It is difficult to put into words what a big brother means to a younger sister. They are our protectors, our teachers, our role models and they can give a girl a confidence that no one else can, when they recognize us for who we are and let us be that person, and love us no matter what. Greg was all of those and more to his little sister. You are missed in a big way Greg. Love to you wherever you are in this universe.
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Recent stories
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....
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.