STEPHEN A. GREELEY

GREELEY, Stephen A. Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Coach Stephen A. Greeley died peacefully, on March 24, 2026, at age 73, due to complications of Parkinson's Disease. Born December 30, 1952, in Boston, Steve was raised in Somerville as the third of Tom and Dolly Greeley's six children. He fondly recalled his childhood on Westwood Road, in a busy Irish-Catholic home full of love and wit. He attended primary school under the watchful eyes of St. Catherine's nuns, including his beloved Sister Anacleta, for whom he chose his confirmation name, Anacletus, a name that would evoke great laughter from his children many years in the future. Steve went on to Matignon High School, where he met many lifelong friends, but he also credited his summers as a caddie at Belmont Country Club with providing valuable education. It was at Belmont that he was advised to consider a post-graduate year, before attending college, a suggestion that led him to Phillips Exeter Academy. Though arriving to the Exeter campus was a culture shock that he described as "right out of a movie" the experience opened his eyes to the world beyond Boston and paved a path for him to the University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, Steve continued his affinity for developing deep friendships wherever he went. His ability to understand and relate to people of all backgrounds, classes, races and religions would serve him well, and just as at St. Catherine's and Matignon, he was elected President of the Class of 1975. From Penn, Steve returned home to attend Harvard Law School, which he biked to daily from his childhood home. It was during law school that Steve met the love of his life, Jan Reilly, at Casablanca in Harvard Square. Their romance led to a wonderful, 48-year marriage - an illustration of devotion and mutual sacrifice that carried them through Steve's challenging final years. Steve and Jan later moved to Scituate, the "Irish Riviera" a perfect backdrop against which to raise their four boys, Steve Jr., Jack, Mike, Tommy; and daughter, Megan. He loved helping his children learn to swim, sail, play tennis, and golf at Hatherly Country Club and the Scituate Harbor Yacht Club. Hatherly became a place of true pleasure for Steve for over 35 years, highlighted by rounds of golf with his four boys. He would often say "How can you beat this?" while marveling at the coastal views as though seeing them for the first time. Steve was quick to show how proud he was of his five children, and his guidance and support was instrumental in their lives. He coached all five of his children in nearly every sport. For many, "Coach Greeley" is synonymous with the hockey rink, where he coached thousands of hockey players, including on the South Shore Seahawks, South Shore Kings, Cape Cod Whalers, and as the inaugural coach of Boston College Club Hockey. His coaching reached far beyond the rink or field, often extending to mentorship – including family, career, education, and other formative advice – for countless young athletes. Steve built a successful legal career, spending more than twenty-five years with his partners on Franklin Street. He retired from his law practice in 2008 to lead the American Ireland Fund in Boston, a challenging but exhilarating capstone role that he held for over twelve years. Steve's vast network of friends rallied behind him, and he was able to reinvigorate the Ireland Funds in the region. His passion for Ireland was evident to all who knew him, and his efforts funded countless projects "back home." He was known to tear up during his signature closing remarks, "God Bless America, God Bless Ireland, and God Bless You." In his retirement, Steve fought Parkinson's Disease with the unceasing love and support of his soulmate Jan. Steve walked Megan down the aisle in the summer of 2024, truly rising to the occasion, and the entire family will always treasure memories of that weekend. His greatest joy was spending time with his ten grandchildren. To nobody's surprise, "Coach" was a doting grandfather and his love for each of his grandchildren was on constant display. Steve passed quietly with Jan by his side, her calming hand upon him, as the sun rose at the time of day he loved to be walking up to the first tee at Hatherly or sipping tea with Jan on the porch. Steve's deep Catholic faith was a constant in his life, especially in his final years when his rosary beads were never out of reach. He is survived by his devoted wife and companion, Jan; his five children: Steve and wife, Lauren of Milton, Jack of Hingham, Michael and wife, Rebecca of Hingham, Thomas and wife, Madeline of Hingham and Megan and husband, Alex Bradford of Athens, Georgia; and his ten grandchildren: Reilly, Sloane and Nina, Caroline and Matthew, George, Seamus, and Tommy and Harper and Whit. He leaves behind his four sisters and their spouses: Kathleen and Mitch Burek, Virginia Champagne, Celine and John Lowrey, and Nancy and Chad George; and his best friend and brother, Tom Greeley and his wife, Rose. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Dolly Greeley; and his brother-in-law, Alan Champagne. The Greeley family would like to thank Steve's many caregivers, especially Jill and Edie, the Croí Health hospice care team, particularly Youdlyne, along with the wonderful staff at The Cordwainer, where Steve spent his final months. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Steve's life by gathering for Visiting Hours in the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 160 Main Street, COHASSET, on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 4-8 PM, and for a Funeral Mass at St. Anthony's Church, 10 Summer Street, Cohasset, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following organizations in Steve's memory: Scituate Etrusco Associates https://www.scituateetrusco.org/ or the Boston College Men's Club Hockey team https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/18256/donations/new For an online guestbook, please visit www.mcnamara-sparrell.com

View the online memorial for Stephen A. GREELEY