Dale Garth Grey, 61, retired United States Air Force Colonel and permanent deacon assigned to St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Catholic Churches in Norwich died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton.
Deacon Dale was born in Ithaca to C. Garth and Jane (Tingley) Grey. He grew up in Norwich. After graduation from Norwich High School in 1981, he joined the Air Force and later transferred to the reserves to attend college. His desire to serve others was apparent then, earning an associate’s degree in nursing from SUNY Morrisville, his bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome, and his Master’s degree in nursing from Wright State University in 2000.
Following deployment for Desert Shield/Storm he was commissioned into the Air Force in the nurse corps and served from 1992 to 2016. His nursing assignments covered several specialized areas of medicine. He also attained his Master of Science in Adult Health Specialty and served as a flight nurse evaluator at the squadron and headquarters levels with multiple deployments. He completed a Senior Executive Fellowship at the Pentagon Office of the Surgeon General, followed by Command and Chief nurse responsibilities in Montana and Okinawa, Japan, before his final assignment as Chief of Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Air Mobility Command in Illinois where he retired honorably in the rank of Colonel in November 2016.
In 2018, Dale joined the faculty of SUNY Morrisville in the Nursing Division, where he taught at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses.
Following four years of formation, Dale was ordained as a permanent deacon in May, 2022 and was assigned to the parishes of St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Churches in Norwich. His ministry focused on the care of others with regular visits to the sick and homebound. The homilies he offered at liturgies, funerals, weddings, and baptisms often reflected on the care of those in need, imitating the example of Jesus Christ.
Deacon Dale also volunteered as a grief counselor and spiritual coordinator for Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County. He was known as a leader in the community that he loved so much. Most recently, he gave benedictions at Memorial Day in Norwich and the Norwich Hometown Heroes banner dedication.
The many messages of condolence left on the Wilson Funeral Home website chronicled the high esteem in which Dale was held by his former military colleagues, students, fellow clergy and parishioners.
Dale loved to cook for gatherings of families and friends at his lakeside home and was an avid dog lover, enjoying the company of his beloved Sam, Buddy and Zep.
Dale is survived by his mother, Jane Grey, of Norwich; siblings, Gail Steiber (Chris) of Norwich; David Grey, of Columbus; Terri Grey-Wessels (Brian) and Victor Grey, of Norwich as well as several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friends, Maggie O’Loughlin, of Norwich and Tanya Steinlander, of Louisville, Kentucky.
A Vigil for a Deceased Deacon was held at St. Bartholomew’s Church following calling hours on August 16. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 17 with Bishop Douglas J. Lucia as principal celebrant
Contributions in Dale’s memory may be made to the Chenango SPCA, 6160 County Rd 32, Norwich, NY 13815 or to a scholarship in Dale’s memory for developing future nurses. Contributions may be mailed to the Wilson Funeral Home, c/o Dale G. Grey Memorial Scholarship, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
