Gary Gregus, 73, of Shakopee, passed away on November 20, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am for Gary on December 5, 2023 at Pax Christi Catholic Community (12100 Pioneer Trail) in Eden Prairie. There will be a Time of Gathering for one hour prior to the service from 10-11am.
Gary Michael Gregus was born on August 4,1950, in Oak Park Illinois, to Thomas and Rosemary Gregus. The oldest of three sons, he never lost his pride in being a native Chicagoan. Family was the most important thing to him, his parents, two younger brothers, and later on his wife of 42 years, and their two sons, Jeffrey and Daniel, whom he was so proud of. Gary was a graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School and Northern Illinois University (Degree in History).
Gary began his career as a teacher at St. Catherine of Sienna School, and continued on to Gordon Technical High School in the Chicago area. Moving to Minnesota in 1981 with his wife Victoria, he taught U.S. History, Current Social Issues and A.P. U.S. History at Shakopee High School until his retirement in 2014.
As a natural teacher, Gary was even more of a natural coach. In Chicago, he coached High School hockey and soccer, and his move to Minnesota was strongly influenced by the desire to coach hockey in the state. His hockey coaching career included boys teams in Shakopee, Burnsville and Edina. His coaching career also included training in the Soviet Union with a U.S.A. coaching group. Part of a master training team for Minnesota Hockey, he traveled the state for many years putting on coaching clinics to give back to the sport he loved so much. Gary received the Ted Brill Memorial Award from Minnesota Hockey in 2006 for his passion and leadership in the field. In 2008, Gary received the Walter Yaciuk National Award from U.S.A. Hockey for his outstanding contribution and dedication to the U.S.A. Hockey Coaching Education Program.
A new avenue of coaching opened up to him when his son, Dan, played college lacrosse. Lacrosse became his passion, and he spent the rest of his life becoming the best coach he could be. He coached girls lacrosse at Bloomington-Jefferson, Lakeville North, and Prior Lake High Schools, before moving to The Blake School as a goaltender coach. Along with working with several club sports in Minnesota, he was also a two time presenter at the National Lacrosse Convention.
Throughout his life Gary was a dedicated husband and father. His family always came first, and he made sure that their travel and life experiences were always the best possible experiences to make memories together. His greatest joys were the simple pleasures of building a campfire with his sons, or watching the sun rise on the North Shore. Gary was the ultimate dog lover, and would speak to the dogs on every walk he went on. He had a special bond with his Schnoodle, Oliver, who was a third son to him. It was always the simplest family memories that made it an amazing life.
Gary is survived by his wife, Victoria Gregus; sons, Jeffrey Gregus and Daniel Gregus; sister-in-laws, Donna Gregus and Margaret Gregus; his beloved pet Oliver; and many other loving nieces and nephews. Gary is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Rosemary Gregus; brothers, Christopher Gregus and Jaime Gregus.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed by the family to Gary’s favorite charities.
