Paul Arthur Gregson

Paul Arthur Gregson, 89, of Vestal, passed away on November 4th, 2026.

Paul was predeceased by his only son, David Paul Gregson, in 1978; his parents, Arthur and Elizabeth (Betty) (Howard) Gregson; his brother, Richard Gregson; his wives, Doris, who passed away in 2000, and Carol, who passed away in 2020; the mother of his children, Dawn (Smith) Starbuck, who passed away in 2004; and his brother-in-law, Neil Isham.

Paul is survived by his loving daughter, Rebecca (Becky) (Scott) Kircher; his loving grandsons, Kahl (Erin) Miller, Jesse (Kaeli) Miller, and Stefan (Sarah White) Miller; and his loving and truly adored great-grandchildren, Hunter, Landon, Hannah, Bella, Kaelyn, and the little one due in May 2027.

Paul is also survived by his sister, Phyllis (Gordon) Martin; nieces and nephews Deborah, Tommy Smallcomb, and Andrea (Sam) Raymond, and their children Anna, Ethan, and Sarah (Hayden), along with great-nephew baby Braxton.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Janet Gregson, and her sons, David and Doug (Denise) Gregson, along with great-nieces Sarah and Joy Gregson.

He is further survived by his sister-in-law, Sue Isham, and her daughter, Lori Bucci, as well as his niece and nephews, Tim, Patty, and Chris Isham.

Paul also had a very extended family through the Smith/Starbuck, Isham, and Goon families.

Paul had many friends whom he always held very close to his heart from the Fire Department, the gym, and the Senior Center.

Paul had a very full life and truly lived his life to the fullest.

On May 15, 1948, Paul and four of his classmates at Thomas Jefferson School won the Marbles Championship while competing in the YMCA Marbles Tournament.

While Paul lived in Binghamton at 290 Main Street (right where Burger King is today), his family owned the apartment building. During World War II, he told me that he was one of the neighborhood boys who ran around informing neighbors of incoming planes, serving as an unofficial aircraft spotter.

When Paul was old enough, he worked for the Press & Sun-Bulletin delivering newspapers from Powderhouse Road all the way to the Pennsylvania line. He would either ride his bike or walk. He always told me stories about how his dad only helped him on Sundays. He was so thankful for the help on those days!

Paul joined the Fire Department in the 1950s but then went on leave for several years. He originally joined Vestal Fire Company No. 2. Paul later came back to Vestal and rejoined the department, completing 63 active years of service. During his time, he served as Fire Police Captain for 24 years. The members of Station No. 2 were very active, from hosting clam bakes to collecting sap and making syrup for the pancake breakfasts at Station No. 2.

Paul also joined the United States Navy Reserve in July 1955 and was honorably discharged in July 1963.

Paul graduated from Vestal High School with the Class of 1957.

Paul was also very involved with the Boy Scout troop that David belonged to. I remember the trips they took and how active he was with the troop until David passed away.

Paul worked for IBM in Owego for many years as a Quality Control Specialist and Shipping Specialist. While at IBM, he also volunteered with the Fire Brigade. Paul also lived in Massachusetts and Rochester, NY, where he worked for IBM and took on second jobs to support his growing family.

Around 1991, he decided to drive a school bus for Vestal Central Schools, a job he absolutely loved. In 1992, he brought me aboard (so happy he did!). In the late 1990s, he retired and went on a trip to Alaska with Doris.

After he married Carol, he decided to return to Vestal Schools with her, and both worked as bus aides. He sure did have a couple of favorites whom he spoke about very often: Avery and Sawyer. He just adored Avery and her sister, Ainsley. Every year, he would invite them to the Vestal Fire Company No. 2 Breakfast with Santa. He enjoyed their conversations, and this year will be a little different...

His greatest joys were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each one held a very special place in his heart. His love for Scottish music and the Scottish festivals was very real, and the MacGregor Clan was spoken about often.

Paul loved going on his rides. He went miles and miles, and the stories are endless. Kahl would take him to work for a day here and there, and he loved stuffing envelopes for him to drop off at various fire departments.

Paul also loved his ice cream. "Small soft twist, please!" Funky Beez, Maine Scoop, Wolfies, Frosty Joe's, and Mountainside Fruit Market, to name a few. If we were near one, we stopped, no matter where we were...
He also loved the donut breakfast sandwiches at Donuts & Ammo in PA. They sure did treat him like royalty, with his own chair and everything. PA is where most of our rides were.

A Few People to Thank:
I would like to thank: my boys, Kahl, Stefan, and Jesse, and their families. To my husband, Scott, thank you for being so understanding about my absence and for being willing to drop whatever you were doing to come help me.
Thank you to Jen at the Senior Center and his table partner, Paul. To his exercise team, Garvin, and all of his partners at the gym, thank you.
To the two remaining members of the trio, Ron Linfoot and Chris Lupold, thank you for always having my dad's back. I will cherish the photos of you three always together. You all have no clue the impact you had on my dad...

To the wonderful UHS staff in the ER, on North Wing 3, and the Palliative Care Team, you went above and beyond and made my family and me feel at ease during this difficult time.
To the Vestal Emergency Squad, you were all wonderful to him through all of his accidental hits.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!!!

Rest easy, Dad. I will forever love you and will miss our talks, and, of course, our disagreements too..

Funeral Services for Paul will be held on Tuesday, November 10th at 10 am at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E. Main Street, Endicott. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park, Vestal. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home on Monday, November 9th from 4-6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either of the following: Vestal Senior Center, 201 Main St., Box #4,Vestal, NY 13850 or The Humane Society, 167 Conklin Ave., Binghamton, NY 13903