Dale G. Grey

Dale Garth Grey, 61, retired United States Air Force Colonel and current Deacon of St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Catholic Churches in Norwich died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at UHS Wilson Medical Center. 

Born on January 21, 1963, in Ithaca, NY, Dale was the son of C. Garth and Jane (Tingley) Grey. He grew up in Norwich and graduated from Norwich High School in 1981. After graduation, he joined the Air Force and later transferred to the reserves to attend college, earning an Associate's Degree in Nursing from SUNY Morrisville in 1987, his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome in 1991, and his Master’s Degree in Nursing from Wright State University in 2000. After a deployment for Desert Shield/Storm he was commissioned into the Air Force in the nurse corps and served from January 15, 1992 – to November 30, 2016. His nursing assignments included clinical rotations as a staff nurse in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Special Care Unit, then managed PACU Hyperbaric Medicine, Emergency Services, and Aerospace Medicine flights. He also attained his Master of Science in Adult Health Specialty [1] And served as a flight nurse evaluator at the squadron and headquarters levels with multiple deployments with these assignments, including the Chief AE Control Team, Al Udied, Qatar. He completed a Senior Executive Fellowship at the Pentagon Office of the Surgeon General. He then took on Command and Chief nurse responsibilities in Montana and Okinawa, Japan, before his final assignment as Chief of Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Air Mobility Command in Illinois where he retired honorably in the rank of Colonel in November 2016.

In January 2018, Dale became a SUNY Morrisville faculty member in the Nursing Division, where he taught the nursing courses at the Morrisville and Norwich Campuses. His determination and dedication to the many students he educated paved the way for critical and crucial thinking, aiding in developing future nurses. He tutored his students, helped them apply for courses, and often used his famous phrase “clear as mud” in his lessons.

On May 21, 2021, Dale was ordained as a Deacon for St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Churches in Norwich. He did countless home visits for the churches, officiated funerals, weddings, and baptisms, enjoyed his liturgies, and spent time writing homilies. His sermons reflected how Dale treated life and the people around him and were greatly appreciated by his parishioners.

He volunteered as a grief counselor and spiritual coordinator for Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County. Dale was a community leader and steward who was often asked to speak at local events. He loved his community, and his actions and words touched countless lives in various capacities. Most recently, he gave benedictions at Memorial Day in Norwich and the Norwich Hometown Heroes banner dedication.

Dale was a world traveler who loved taking in the scenery and history and took yearly trips to Hawaii as his personal retreat. He loved to cook and host his family and friends for gatherings. Dale’s home on the lake was his pride, and he enjoyed being close to his family. He was a dog lover and loved SAM, BUDDY, and Zep fervently.

Dale is survived by his mother, Jane Grey, of Norwich; siblings, Gail Steiber and her husband, Chris, of Norwich; David Grey, of Columbus; Terri Grey-Wessels and her husband, Brian Wessels, of Norwich, and Victor Grey, of Norwich; nieces and nephews, Tyler Steiber and his fiancé, Ashley Revette, Kaleigh Natoli and her husband, Michael, Garrett Steiber and his girlfriend, Olivia Jankowski, Ethan Grey, Wyatt Grey, Austin Matlack-Grey, Jonathan Matlack-Grey, and his fiancé, Rachel West, Harrison Matlack-Grey, Grant Wessels and his fiancé, Cierra Sherman, Seth Wessels, and Trent Wessels; several great nieces and nephews; his dear friends, Maggie O’Loughlin, of Norwich and Tanya Steinlander, of Louisville, KY, and countless friends. He was predeceased by his father in 2015.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Dale will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 81 East Main Street, Norwich, NY. Friends are invited to call at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Friday, August 16, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Vespers prayer service to follow. A private family burial will be held at St. Paul's Cemetery. Those who are unable to attend the physical service are encourage to watch the Mass on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/nwtf70cfm6o?feature=share. 

Contributions in Dale’s memory may be made to the Chenango SPCA, 6160 County Rd 32, Norwich, NY 13815 or to a scholarship in Dale’s memory for developing future nurses. Contributions may be mailed to the Wilson Funeral Home, c/o Dale G. Grey Memorial Scholarship, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with John Antonowicz of the Wilson Funeral Home.