Obituary: Francisco G. Gregorio Jr., 78

Francisco G. Gregorio Jr., 78, of Lawrence Township passed away on Wednesday, May 16.

Born in Laur Nueva Ecija, Philippines, he lived in the area for the last 27 years.

Francisco trained and served in the finest UST Golden Corps of Cadets. UST ROTC/CMT/MTS Constructed through the efforts of the Golden Cross & Saber Fraternity in honor of the Thomasians who had laid down their lives in the service of the Motherland. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas Philippines with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Banking, and Finance.

He worked briefly for Church & Dwight Co. Inc. and Cytogen Corporation at Princeton and worked in the customer service/billing department of Trenton Water Works for many years until his retirement.

Known for his outspoken but kindhearted nature, he took special pride in his Filipino ancestry and his family. He was a member of in Lawrence, the Filipino-American Association of Central Jersey, University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association and the United Laureans, Benefactor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey Benedictine Nuns of the Eucharistic King, Vigan Ilocos Sur Philippines, other religious and community based charities in the United States and the Philippines.

An avid reader and history buff, Francisco also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting in the rugged mountains of Laur, traveling, Jeopardy show and addicted to social networking such as Facebook, twitter, and Skype with friends worldwide.

He is survived by his wife Estelita Samson Gregorio, his children Beth Mil and her husband Samuel-June of Pennington, Joselito Gregorio and his wife Annie of Trenton, Frances Manila and her husband Dennis of Lawrence, and Ben Hur Gregorio and his wife Susan of Jacksonville, Fla.; his grandchildren Brian Mil, Ashley Mil, Kyle Manila, Rachel Gregorio, and Kaitlyn Gregorio.

Also surviving are his sisters Dr. Rosita Gregorio-Tena and husband Dr. Leoncio Tena of Tampa, Fla., Dr. Teresita Bernales and husband Engr. Cicero Bernales of Oahu, Hawaii; brother in-law Mr. George Ducay; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his father Capt. Francisco Gregorio Sr., USAFFE, and his mother Mercedes De Guzman Gregorio, and sister Dr. Evangelina Gregorio-Ducay. A father-figure type of role for other Filipinos in the area, he is fondly called Daddy by many of them and a playful "Pacong" by his closest friends in Laur, and simply the loving and über generous "Lolo" by his grandchildren.

Francisco’s funeral took place this past Monday under the direction of . A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated The Church of St. Ann. Burial will be in the Philippines at a later date.