Gregory A. Besse

Gregory A. Besse, 65, of Lowell passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, July 7, 2022. He was not ill but had long been suffering from a freak work injury that inflicted severe terminal pain in his back and leg, which forced him to retire prematurely for medical reasons. It's the opinion of those closest to him that the indifference of his healthcare providers and their decision to medicate rather than rehabilitate Greg's injury exacerbated his pain in many ways and hastened his body's inability to thrive. Despite this, Greg was a loving and dedicated father who never let the opportunity pass to remind his children that being a proud father was his greatest achievement. He will be remembered as an enthusiastic outdoorsman who relished every moment he spent by a lake, in a canoe, on a hiking trail, or looking up at a clear, starry sky, remarking on all the observable miracles in nature. Now, whenever we cast a line into a pond, walk the beaches of Plum Island, or smell the fresh mountain air of Vermont, we will feel Greg's spirit within us and alongside us. Greg's eagerness for discovery, curiosity, humor, and scientific brilliance never waned, nor did his enjoyment of life's little victories. We will hold on to our dear memories of Greg, share them, and smile as we remember the good times past with a man we loved.
Greg was the son of the late Bryant Besse and Norma (Hunt) Besse and was born in Arlington and raised in Beverly. He was a graduate of Beverly High School '75 and attended Northeastern University. He worked as a metrologist, spending the majority of his career calibrating missile guidance systems for Raytheon.
Greg is survived by his son Tyler, daughter Jillian (Besse) Riviezzo and her husband Dana Riviezzo, his grandchildren Gabriella, Isabella, and Olivia Riviezzo; his brothers Curtis, Geoff, Brian, Mark, and sister Marlene, and many nephews. He is predeceased by his first love and ex-wife, Kathleen Healey.
A memorial and remembrance will be held privately by the family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society