Bill Grech, 80, decorated veteran

Raymond “Bill” Grech of Ridgefield, a decorated war veteran and retired marketing executive who had been a popular Visiting Nurse Association volunteer, died on Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Danbury Hospital. He was 80 years old.

Mr. Grech was born in Savannah, Ga., on July 1, 1924, son of Joseph and Naomia Conaway Grech. He attended Savannah schools.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Grech served 54 months in World War II and participated in the landing at Normandy. In 1950, he was recalled to active duty as an infantry platoon leader in Korea where he received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for wounds suffered in action.

Mr. Grech had been the chief operating officer of Telephone Marketing Programs Inc. before his retirement in 1995. A resident of Ridgefield since 1987, he had at first lived at Casagmo and later at Ridgefield Crossings.

After his retirement in 1995, Mr. Grech became a volunteer worker for the Visiting Nurse Association of Ridgefield. He often told family and friends that the VNA offered the most gratifying experience of his entire life.

“He was a wonderful, wonderful person,” said Helena Jedlinsky, executive director of the VNA. “He was very committed to the individual client.”

Mr. Grech was a member of the VNA’s Friendly Visitors program and was a driver for patients who needed transporation. He had also advised Ms. Jedlinsky on marketing.

“He always had a smile, always had a laugh,” she said. “He’ll be sorely missed.”

Mr. Grech was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.

He is survived by four sons, Michael Grech and William Grech, both of Walled Lake, Mich., Matthew Grech of San Diego, Calif., and Philip Grech of Port Saint Lucie, Fla.; three daughters, Nancy Oliver of Macon, Ga., Robin Boccuzzi of Ridgefield and Catherine Bacon of Shelton; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A son, Raymond W. Grech II, died in 1974.

Services took place on Monday in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Burial followed in Long Ridge Union Cemetery, Stamford.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 90 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877.