Richard F. “Dick” Gregorio, 94, a longtime resident of Framingham, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026 after developing dementia. Born in Newton, he was the son of the late Patsy & Hazel (Whittier) Gregorio, and the beloved husband of the late Sandra M. (Schools) Gregorio of 50 years.
Dick lived in Framingham for over 60 years and proudly raised his family there. He honorably served his country during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army.
Dick owned a gas station in Framingham for many years, and often told stories of the customers waiting in line for hours to fill up their tanks during the gas shortage of the 1970’s. He was a Ham radio operator all his life, spending his free time in the radio room at his home speaking to men and women all over the world.
Dick had a love for animals, and regularly fed squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and even coyotes. If they came to his back door, he would feed them. He enjoyed a special relationship with his granddaughter Jenny who could always make him smile and to whom he became very devoted in the final months of his life. He was especially attached to her cat, Jagger.
In his later years, one of his favorite pastimes was visiting Burger King every morning, where he met some wonderful friends. Stan Lichwala was special friend, along with Joseph Balls who also had a love of Ham Radio.
Dick is survived by his children, Jo-Ann Byrne & her husband Brian of York, ME, James & his wife Brenda of Raeford, NC, and Robert & his wife Susan of Wells, ME, his son in law, Robert Burke, his grandchildren, Christel Byrne Maloney & her husband Robert of Southborough, Jenifer Byrne of Framingham, Tyler Byrne & his wife Haley of St. Petersburg, FL, Keri Gregorio of Fairbanks, AK, step grandchildren, Jessica and George Ruddy, his great grandchildren, Ryan, Madison, and Charlie Maloney, step great grandchildren, Sophia, Livia, and Jennesa Ruddy, his siblings, Frederick & his wife Theresa, Thomas, Roger & his wife Wanda, Margery, and Phyllis Proia.
Besides his wife Sandra, Dick was predeceased by his daughter Patricia Burke, and his son, Michael, and his brother, Ralph.
Dick’s family will honor and remember his life privately.
To share a memory with the Dick’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home