chalice with rainbow flame
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex County

In Memoriam: Greg Giacobe

Gregory "Greg" Michael Giacobe passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 after a long illness. Born on February 15, 1960 in Newark, New Jersey, Greg lived most of his life in Bayonne. Greg attended Catholic grammar school and graduated from Marist High School in 1978. He attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City and went on to Rutgers, The State University in Newark where he graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Zoology. Greg is predeceased by his father Salvatore Giacobe and his mother Vera Giacobe (nee Reichenau).

Greg began his working career in security in the early 1990’s. He worked for many years at St Ann’s Home for the Aged, a nursing home in Jersey City, and then at Newark Airport.

In his words, Greg "found his spiritual home" at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex County in Orange, NJ. He served for many years as Secretary to the Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Celebrations & Music Committee. He also coordinated First UU’s Green Sanctuary effort. Greg was active in many Unitarian Universalist denominational affairs and was church liaison to the UUA. Greg worked for several years as part time administrator for the church and its community outreach program, The HUUB, inc. Greg’s attention to detail, especially requirements of church by-laws and denomination protocol helped First Church to maintain its status as an independent congregation. Greg’s commitment and contribution to First Church and to the denomination of Unitarian Universalism cannot be overstated. He will be sorely missed.

Greg is survived by his sister, MaryAnn Giacobe Mattaliano and her husband Anthony; his brother, Bernard Giacobe; his nephew, Dino Mattaliano and his wife Karen Meyers Mattaliano; and his niece ToniAnn Mattaliano Gonzalez and her husband Emilio. Greg was great uncle to Nina and Michael Gonzalez and to Nicholas Mataliano. Greg leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and several friends. Contributions can be made in his honor to The American Cancer Society.