John Franklin Gregg

John Franklin Gregg, 82, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Born on August 6, 1943, in Joliet, Illinois, John lived a life defined by dedication to his family, career, and passions.

John’s academic journey began in Joliet, where he attended Joliet Junior College and Lewis University. He later pursued higher education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, earning an MBA in Business Administration in 1967. This strong educational foundation launched him into a distinguished career in healthcare administration and financial services.

Over the course of his professional life, John made significant contributions to the organizations he served. He began his residency at Orange Memorial in Orange County, Florida, and later became Associate Executive Director at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia. From 1985 to 1999, John served as President and Executive Director of University Hospital of Jacksonville, where his leadership left a lasting impact. John was a financial planner with Prudential from 1999 to 2016, then joined Mantay & Associates in 2017 where he was instrumental in establishing investment allocations and valuable insights to financial planning concepts. He retired in 2017. John was widely respected for his vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Beyond his professional achievements, John found immense joy in sports and the outdoors. A devoted fan of the Florida Gators football and the Jacksonville Jaguars, he also had a passion for golf and fishing. Some of his most treasured memories were made while fishing with his brothers, children, and friends—whether in the lakes of Michigan or Alaska or deep-sea fishing off South Florida’s coast.

John was a devoted husband to Andrea, his wife of 44 years. Together they built a loving family that became the cornerstone of John’s life. He is survived by Andrea; his siblings Robert "Bob" Gregg (Sue) and Richard "Rick" Gregg (Lisa) and cousin, Karyl Hobbs; daughters Nancy and Alicia (John); sons Jay (Charlotte), J.J. (Trish), and Robert (April); grandchildren Jessica, Johnny, Kain, Brittany, Garrett, Christopher, Pashence, Rachael, Tara, Madeline, and Mackenzie; and great-grandchildren Amelia, Amara, Fletcher, Alec, Jace, and Memphis. John is predeceased by his parents John and Dorothea Gregg and granddaughter Valerie.

Affectionately known as "Grumpy" by his family—a nickname reflecting not grumpiness but his steady and loving demeanor—John was a pillar of strength for those around him. His wit could brighten any room, and his wisdom provided guidance through life’s challenges. A true gentleman with a larger-than-life presence, John left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

A Memorial Service will be held on March 20, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church located at 400 San Juan Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's name to Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra or the Anne & Donald McGraw Center for Caring of Community Hospice in Jacksonville.

John Franklin Gregg’s legacy as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend will live on through the countless lives he touched. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.