Gregory W. Ridgway

Gregory “Greg” W. Ridgway, age 62, of Wayne passed peacefully at home on January 1, 2026.

He was born in Montclair to Warren and Patricia Ridgway and raised in Bloomfield.  He graduated from Bloomfield High School with the Class of 1981.

Out of high school Greg worked as a press operator for Belson’s Uniform Shop in Bloomfield.  He enlisted in the United States Airforce and was honorably discharged in 1986.  After his military service he worked as a security office for the Short Hills Mall. For a few years Greg worked with the Department of Public Works in Fairfield then Essex Fells. Gregs most recent work was as a Crane Operator for Millenium Marine Rail in Port Elizabeth where all knew Greg as “duder” a nickname he loved.  

Greg loved to cook and, fittingly, passed away with a cookbook by his side. Some of his favorite dishes included shrimp and rice, wings, filet mignon, pork ribs, and pork loins, to name just a few. Greg was crazy, loud, and fun-loving, always teasing everyone around him and filling every space with laughter. In his youth, he insisted on being the very first one in the family to jump into the pool each year. The neighbors always knew when Greg was swimming—his booming voice could be heard blocks away. He also had a deep love for animals and was predeceased by his two beloved cats.

He is survived by his mother Patricia Ridgway of Wayne and predeceased by his father Warren Ridgway in 2000; he was the loved brother of two sisters Linda Milone and her husband Thomas of Wayne, and Karen Brauss of Toms River. He was predeceased by his brother Warren Ridgway in 2022.  Greg is survived by two nieces Danielle Forstenhausler and Samantha Milone, and one nephew Nicholas Milone.

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In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the AmericanHeart Association would be appreciated.