COLCHESTER-Douglas Christopher Greig Sr., 78, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, at Barre Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Born on December 28, 1946, in Paterson, New Jersey to Joseph and Dorothy Greig, Doug was a man whose warmth and storytelling touched the lives of everyone he met.
Doug graduated from Manchester Regional High School in North Haledon, New Jersey in 1964. After graduation, he worked in the family business, Greig Brothers and Sons Floor Covering, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966. During his military service from 1966 to 1968, Doug was selected for the prestigious 3rd Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" – the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the President. He was permanently assigned to the Caisson Detachment at Fort Myer, Virginia, a service he spoke of with immense pride throughout his life. It was during this honorable assignment that he met his future wife, Alice, when he made certain he was the one to escort her tour group through the stables – a story he loved to recount, along with tales of being kicked and bitten by "one particular horse" during his service.
On January 6, 1968, Doug married Alice M. Lentz, beginning a devoted partnership that would span over 57 years. After his military service, Doug continued his career in the flooring business as he and Alice built their family, moving from New Jersey to Virginia, then Massachusetts, before finally settling in Vermont in 1984. In his early 50s, Doug retired from the flooring business and managed a self-storage company until his full retirement in his 60s.
One of Doug's greatest joys was realizing his dream of country living in Vermont, where he and Alice made their home for over 40 years. There he could indulge his lifelong love of horses and western culture – from books to movies – that had captured his imagination throughout his life.
Doug was a man of integrity who lived by the principles he taught his children: don't lie and take responsibility for your actions. He had the remarkable ability to strike up a conversation with anyone he met and was well-known for his engaging stories that captivated listeners.
Doug is survived by his loving wife, Alice M. Greig; his sons Douglas Greig Jr. (Shannon) and Michael Greig; his grandchildren Sara (Benjamin) Rochon, Zackary (Samantha) Greig, Lauren (Nicholas) Andrade, Vanessa (Jared) Berry, Kaiya Greig, Kyra Roberts, and Kylee Roberts; and his great-grandchildren Luke-Mathew Greig, Zack Greig Jr., Christopher Greig, Daisy Rochon, Maile Rochon, Sam Greig, Jasper LeDuff, Charlotte Andrade, and Everett Berry. He is also survived by his siblings Robert Greig (whose wife Joanne Daneri Greig passed away in 2020) and Dorothy (John) Presing, sister-in-law Betty Greig (widow of Joseph), brother-in-law Michael (Susan) Lentz, and numerous nieces and nephews. Doug was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Greig, and his brother Joseph Greig.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Doug's memory.
"Doug never met anyone that he couldn't stop and have a conversation with." His stories and principles will live on through the many lives he touched.
Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Street in Barre.