Michael Joseph Greco

Michael Joseph Greco, 86, died peacefully Tuesday morning, May 26, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital where he had been a patient for a few weeks. Born and raised in Amsterdam, he was a son of the late Joseph and Laura Califano Greco. He was a lifelong resident of Amsterdam. In his early years, he worked at his families grocery store. After graduation from Wilbur H. Lynch High School, class of 1941, he went off to war, as did many of his friends and returned home four years later. He was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant from the United States Army. Mike was a parishioner and communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Amsterdam where he was an active member his entire life, from altar boy to Eucharistic minister. Mike worked along side his father and brother, Joseph, also deceased, in the family construction business, Joseph Greco and Sons. Later as an agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, he received many awards and achievements, retiring in 1986. After retirement, he worked with his sisters, Marie and Beatrice in their card store, Card-O-Rama. Mike cared for and was very active in his community for all of his life, serving as a County Planning Board Committee Member, Committeeman for the Republican Party and manning the booths at election time. He was a member of the Southside Veterans, Port Jackson Bocce League and the Knights of Columbus Council 209. At Mount Carmel Church, Mike was a member and past president of the Holy Name Society, president of the Bingo Committee for several years and Scout Master of Troop 24. In his later years, he was the trip planner for the senior citizens and was a Eucharistic Minister, serving the sick and the elderly in their homes and also at Wilkinson Residential Health Care Facility until last year. Mike was always looking to enjoy life with his many good friends. He was a proud member of the Valley Fish and Game Club, Metropolitan Life's "Greco's Follies" and the PPC+2 Poker Club. He will be missed. His wife, the former Gloria A. Baranello, whom he married in Syracuse, New York on February 16, 1952, predeceased him on October 11, 2002. Mike is survived by his four children, Joseph and Linda Greco of Hagaman, NY, Teresa Greco McLaren of Nokomis, FL, Michael and Lisa Greco of Amsterdam, NY, and Elizabeth and Michael Decker of Amsterdam, NY; his beloved grandchildren, Melissa, Ryan, Ciara, Shaun, Ashley, Michael, Ian, Christian and Hunter his biggest fans, two sisters, Marie and Beatrice and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Monday morning, June 1, 2009 at 10:30 at the Riley Mortuary, Inc., 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY, followed at 11:15 by a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 39 St. John Street, Amsterdam, NY. Interment with full military honors will be in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Town of Amsterdam. Calling hours are Sunday from 4 to 7 at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Mike's name may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, P.O. Box 699, Amsterdam, New York 12010.