Dr. Gregory Hillis Locke, 88 years old, passed on to his heavenly home on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 22, 1937, to Anthony and Harriet Lasczecki of Bergen County, New Jersey. He was raised in Lyndhurst, then Harrison, lived briefly in Lavalette and finally West Long Branch for sixty-four years, except for four years spent at Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis, Missouri. It was there that he met Joyce Lillian Kerkering, whom he married in December of 1959. The following year, their first child, David, was born.

The couple returned to West Long Branch to establish their home and Greg’s practice. Two more children—Jeffery and Sandra—followed. Joyce had the difficult task of keeping the young children quiet and occupied while Greg treated his patients in the downstairs office.

Greg was a member of good standing in the Lions and Elk’s civic clubs, which are service organizations dedicated to community betterment in the areas of veterans’ support, youth programs and scholarships.

Throughout his life Greg was an avid athlete. He swam competitively at Seton Hall Prep school and then at Fairleigh Dickinson College. He also enjoyed golfing, scuba diving, skiing and biking. Swimming lessons were required for his children who spent many summer days in the ocean and the pool. Later, as the patriarch of the Locke clan, he insisted and paid for all his grandchildren to have swimming lessons before they could enjoy the backyard pool.

In 1970, Greg became a born-again Christian at an Evangelistic service in Asbury Park. As a result, he led his family to begin attending services at Fifth Avenue Chapel in Belmar. The Chapel became their spiritual home on earth and both he and Joyce were dedicated members until their promotion to glory.

In his latter years Greg faced numerous health challenges related to age, but his desire to be around his family and friends at Fifth Avenue Chapel never lessened. The support and prayers from his family and his faith community gave him much peace and comfort during his final hours.

Greg and Joyce were married for sixty-three years, leaving a large family and a lasting heritage of love. Greg is predeceased by his wife Joyce and survived by his sons David and Jeffery and his daughter Sandra. Grandchildren include Heather, Jeff Jr, Shayna (husband Nick), Davita (fiancé George), Kyle, Lydia, Joshua, Michael, Andrew (wife Edna), Ryan, Teddy, Valerie, Eleeza, and Matthew. Great-grandchildren include Jayden, Moses, Prometheus, Orion, Asher, Vienna, Adeline (deceased) and Ezekiel (due in July.)

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 11th, at 1:00 PM at Fifth Avenue Chapel, 304 Fifth Avenue, Belmar, NJ.

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