Greg Vincent Garzio, 48, passed away suddenly while working from his makeshift home office on December 8. Greg went by a few nicknames: Gizzy, Cump, Tweet, Gaston and Garz. He left behind a lot of family and friends that loved him greatly because he was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother, cousin, uncle, brother-in-law, nephew, and friend. His family and friends knew him only as a kind and mild-mannered person that could be counted on for anything. If anyone needed help, he was the first one to answer the call from moving his friend’s countless times to being a great “wing man” at happy hour requests.  He was a stickler for keeping things in order and creating “to-do” lists where he would often work methodically and systematically to check things off his list related to home projects and anything that needed to be completed.  

Greg was known for his many passions: hunting which he looked forward to with so much excitement, John Carpenter’s movie “Halloween”, his pet snake- Dr. Loomas, politics, Jim Morrison and the Doors, making 1980s music sound- tracks, reciting movie quotes, the New York Yankees, WWE wrestling, a super voter, and community volunteering. Greg loved Penn State and East Stroudsburg Universities’ football programs. He played offensive tackle for the Hazleton Mountaineers from 1986-1989 and East Stroudsburg University Warriors from 1990-1993, where he led and blocked for some of the best Warrior teams and won many awards for his performance in college. He was a past assistant coach for the Pocono Mountain East football team and thoroughly enjoyed coaching younger generations the game he loved most.

Greg could not wait every November to grow his beard out and sit in the woods to hunt deer.  It was one of his greatest passions.  He was an avid outdoorsman and always said he loved sitting in the woods because it was peaceful, and he could “just be”.  He also enjoyed being outside working on home projects and would always ensure that six tons of pellets were ordered in September for the winter ahead and that all the home improvement projects were done from the lists he would generate through all seasons.  He enjoyed sitting around a good “potato fire” with friends and family telling stories, drinking a beer, and roasting marshmallows and hot dogs.  Greg was a gentle and kind protector that came naturally to him.  His biggest passion was his family, wife- Kristy, daughter- Braelyn, and son- Bronson. Greg’s eyes would beam with pride watching his kids play sports and he lived for them.  He never missed a practice or game and was always quick to lift their spirits if they needed encouragement after a bad game or practice. We will read one day about their athletic achievements.              

He graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a B.S. in Environmental Science. Greg’s college senior year internship was for a renowned black bear biologist with the PA Game Commission. He really enjoyed spending a summer with these gentle giants like himself and being outside. Greg was recently a Deputy Director at Sanofi Pasteur where he worked for 24 years and one month. As a protector of people and always having a sense of duty to serve, he worked on vaccines keeping the public safe for many years and had a very strong network where he developed many work friendships over the years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kristy and their two children, Braelyn and Bronson, his parents, Robert and Florence Garzio, brother, Robbie Garzio, sister, Cheryl and brother-in-law, Mike Harmonosky, nieces and nephews, Nico Makuta, Katy, Jenna, and Mia Harmonosky, Aleena, Talan, and Koltt DeLorenzo, and Kathryn and Tyler DeLorenzo.  Additionally, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Angelika Leitner, father-in-law, Ronnie DeLorenzo, Sr. and brother-in-laws, David and Ronnie DeLorenzo and sister-in-law, Tiffany Chaffee and countless friends.

Love lives on and Greg will be greatly missed by many. He was a one-of-a-kind guy who positively impacted every life he encountered, regardless if the interactions were short-lived or lifelong friendships.  He would not want anyone to be getting all emotional over his departure.  Greg would want you to have a shot of your choice (whiskey), tell the same old stories and share memories of your time together.

 “There are things known and unknown and in between are the doors.”- Jim Morrison.  Until we meet again…

Viewing services will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2020 from 3-8 pm at Cochran’s Funeral Home, 905 High Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840. www.cochranfuneral.com

Burial and services will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 1 pm at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Tresckow Road, McAdoo, PA 18237.