Obituary of Gregory Pels

Gregory John Pels, 63 of Richmond, Virginia, passed away after a long illness on February 14, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia. He leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his devoted wife Emily Pels, daughter Kristin Pels, son Scott Pels of Richmond, VA, parents, George Joseph and Edna Pels of Phillipsburg, NJ, sister Sandra Barcik and her husband Joseph and their daughters Tina and Dawn; his granddaughter Alana Mann and her father, Scott Mann. Also his extended family, Kate Magri, Mary Jo Gernhardt, Henry Gernhardt, Roy Gernhardt and their families. Greg was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey on April 28, 1949. He was raised in Port Murray, New Jersey for 19 years. As a young man, he was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and their choir. Greg went to Hackettstown School District before graduating from Warren Hills Class of 1968. He received his BS degree in education from Concord University in West Virginia in 1972 and MS degree in Adult and Continuing Education from Virginia Tech University in 1975. Greg spent his career as administrative faculty at the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies serving as Assistant Director of the Charlottesville Center until 1989 and then the Director of Continuing Education at the UVA Richmond Center until he retired in 2004. He was then employed by the Virginia Department of Education as Career Switcher and National Board Certification Specialist until 2009. Greg was an accomplished photographer and served as the president of the Camera Club of Richmond 2008 and 2009. He enjoyed sharing his love for photography with his many friends and mentees and was grateful for their friendships. His beautiful images were often published in Virginia Wildlife magazine. Thank you Greg, we are blessed to have had you in our lives. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VCU Massey Cancer Center, PO Box 980214, Richmond, VA 23298-0214. We are very grateful for the fine care he received there or to the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the DeVoe Funeral Service, Inc., 136 West Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. The DeVoe Funeral Service, Inc. has been entrusted with his arrangements. Online condolences at www.devoefuneral.com.