Thomas Lloyd Gregg was a California boy transplanted to an East coast life he embraced. Born in the San Fernando Valley, he thrived in the North Hollywood hills of his youth and the home of his parents, Thelma and Lloyd; his grandfather's Stepladder Ranch that backed into the Hearst Castle where he spent summers with cousins; his father's car dealership and gas station where he tinkered with brothers, Stephen and Phil, the surfing beaches of southern California, and the intellectual life at Stanford University, from which he graduated in 1957.

After test-driving law school at Stanford, he pursued a master's degree in foreign affairs at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. In addition to his degree, conferred in 1960, and a year at the Bureau of Foreign Commerce, he met his wife, Catherine Hyland Gregg, known as Kitty, who survives him. Married since 1961, they settled in Rockville, Md., with daughters Catherine and Ann, and later, with Tom's mother-in-law, Margaret. His family grew to include sons-in-law, David Cox and Bill Skeet, and grandchildren Charlie, George, and Katie Cox, and Emma and John Skeet.

Following his brief taste of public sector life, Tom found the opportunity to blend work, humor, and friendship at Bell Atlantic, where he rose through the executive ranks and, more importantly, established friendships that sustained him throughout his life - at work, on the tennis court, in his neighborhood and through his beloved "pieces of eight plus one" group of eclectic, funny friends.

A phone company colleague introduced him to Maine. He and Kitty were blessed to live 23 years of their lives together in a tidal river community they have loved. In the twin cities of Newcastle and Damariscotta, Tom pursued his passions - tennis and the merry band of Tuesday players that came with it; gardening, love of nature, hard work, connection to community, love of his Patriots, Red Sox, and, yes, still the Redskins; and stewardship of those thing in life he treasured: faith, knowledge, health.

Always quick to retell a joke, encourage the ingestion of blueberries - "antioxidants will prevent cancer" after all - and model the benefits of an active daily life, Tom showed those around him how hard work, dedication to loved ones, values, and discipline balanced with humor can lead to a full life. Though he is missed already, he is in each of us who knew him.

There will be a visitation on Friday, April 17, from 4-6 p.m. at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 380 Academy Hill, Newcastle, will be held on Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.

Published by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram from Apr. 15 to Apr. 16, 2015.