Mr. Gregory A. Hadley Sr.

Alderman Gregory A. Hadley Sr., of Ives Street, passed away Saturday September 15, 2018 at Waterbury Hospital after a brief illness with his loving wife, Karen A. (Overton) Hadley by his side. Greg was born November 27, 1952 in Waterbury a son to Violet (Ridenhour) (Hadley) James of Waterbury and the late Rosebud P. Hadley. He attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary and was a graduate of Crosby High School and Mattatuck Community College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. Greg became involved in his community at a very young age where he served as President of the City Wide Youth Council. Under his presidency, he was an advocate for the inclusion of Black History in the teaching of American History. Also under his leadership, the Youth Council took on the challenge of moving forward to make Martin Luther King Jr's birthday a school holiday. The organization boycotted school forcing the Waterbury Board of Education placing Martin Luther King Jr's birthday on the school calendar. Beginning in 1979, Mr. Hadley had been employed by the State of CT Department of Children and Families as a Youth Service Officer at Long Lane School which is now Connecticut Juvenile Training School. In 1981 he was promoted to Youth Services Group Leader, in 1986 he was promoted to Youth Services Officer 1, in 1996 he was promoted to Youth Services Officer 2, in 2002 Greg was promoted to Assistant Superintendent where he held that position until his retirement in 2003. After his retirement he remained faithful to his mission to uplift our community and provide assistance to our youth, keeping them out of the judicial system. In 2003 he volunteered at middle schools and high school after school program under the operation of the nonprofit Walnut, Orange, Walsh Neighborhood Revitalization Association Inc. (WOW). In 2004 a neighborhood crown jewel, WOW/NRZ Community Learning Center was built. He was offered the position of Director, the position he held until his passing. Early in his career he worked as a teacher at Waterbury Head Start Center Greg entered the political arena and was elected as a Waterbury Alderman in November 2011 where he was currently serving a 4th term. He was also Chairman of the Finance Committee, liaison to both City Planning Committee and Board of Education, Board of Alderman liaison to the Fire Commission, CHRO Advisory Committee for the Waterbury School District on improving minority hiring of teachers and administrators. He was the current President of the Waterbury Black Democratic Club, The African American Mayor for a Day Committee. Mr. Hadley was also a member of the Waterbury Democrat Town Committee, Education Chairman and By Laws Governance Committee Chairman for J&J Inc., Executive Director of The Pearl Foundation, member of The UnGroup Society, the Greater Waterbury branch of the NAACP and a coach for the Waterbury Knights. He was the recipient of numerous community service awards from both local and State Organizations. His mission was to improve the quality of life for Waterbury Citizens and to assist whenever needed. Greg was a member of Zion Baptist Church for many years. He was an avid NY Yankee fan and also a fan of the Giants and Knicks. He loved going to the games in NY and taking his grandsons who were his world. In his early years Greg was a DJ throughout Waterbury who was known as DJ Discotizer. To know him was to love him. His sense of humor and smile and kind giving heart will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Besides his wife Karen also known as Annette, he leaves to cherish his memory, one daughter; Gaylynn Hadley, two sons; Gregory A. Hadley Jr. and Geoffrey Hadley all of Waterbury, three grandsons; Savion Ettson, Zyaire Ettson and Greysean Hadley all of Waterbury, four brothers; Gerald Ridenhour, Gary Hadley both of Waterbury, Keith (Daisy) Trotman of Ahoskie, NC, Kenneth (Vivian) James of Las Vegas, NV, three sisters; Shawn Hadley, Tonya Hadley, Paula (Charles) Jones all of Waterbury, mother in law; Margaret Overton, god daughter; Yolanda Fulton of FL, one aunt Bermer Ridenhour of SC, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins extended family and a host of friends. He was predeceased by brother's Christian A. Hadley, Kevin James and god son Josef Hunter.