J. Gregg Royer

J. Gregg Royer, 93, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away Friday, January 15, 2016, at his home in Sunnyside Village. He was born September 21, 1922, in Altoona, PA to John Fleck and Grace Pauline Lucas Royer. He received his B.S. degree in economics from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. in 1943. He was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. He served in the U. S. Army briefly at the end of World War II. Gregg retired from Armstrong World Industries, Inc. in 1985 after 42 years, during which time he served as Plant Controller, Chief Corporate Accountant, and Controller of International Operations. At the age of 11 Gregg traveled alone across the country on the Greyhound Bus to visit his uncle and aunt in Riverside, CA. He attended public schools in Altoona, PA, graduating from Altoona High School in 1940. He married Ethel Florence Sheraw, of Altoona, PA, June 3, 1944. He was a 32nd degree mason in the Consistory of Harrisburg, PA, and a noble in the Shrine in Zembo Temple of Harrisburg, PA. He was an active member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Lancaster, PA, for many years and more recently at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sarasota. Gregg sang in church choirs from the age of 13 until he lost his hearing at age 89. Gregg and his wife Ethel of 71 years traveled extensively in the states and visited 35 foreign countries. Survivors include a daughter Mary Jane McHenry of Marietta, GA; a son Jay (Linda) Royer of Lancaster, PA; two daughters-in-law, Susan Scott of Philadelphia, PA and Deborah Dandridge of Lancaster, PA, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and one brother, Alan (Pat) Royer and two sisters, Anna Royer and Margaret (John) Billman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel; two sons, James and John, and a brother, James. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 3:30pm in the chapel at Sunnyside Village. Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Endowment Fund – First Congregational U.C.C., 103 South Euclid Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237 or Sunnyside Foundation, 5201 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, FL 34232.

J. Gregg Royer

January 19, 2016