Gregory Charles Carlo died peacefully on July 24, 2023 in the ICU at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, surrounded by family. The cause of death, confirmed by his son Nicholas, was heart failure. He was 67.
The son of Louis and Philomena (Faye) Carlo, Gregory was born on Sept. 20, 1955 in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. He spent his summers with his parents in Chatham, where he lived for most of his life.
Gregory wrestled in high school and trained seriously in the martial arts in adulthood. In 1996, he won first place in the Boston Summer Open Karate Championships, and he was awarded many other trophies over the years, said Nicholas.
After settling in Chatham in the late 1980s, he apprenticed as a plumber, working his way up to master plumber. Over his nearly 40-year career, he worked throughout the Outer Cape, most notably for Cape Quality Plumbing in Provincetown and Wellfleet.
Gregory loved spending time with his family, and he fished, hunted, and for many years trained dogs, from German shepherds to yellow Labs.
He believed in the healing power of rock and roll and was, as Nicholas put it, “a typical classic rock dad” who listened to Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Dire Straits, and Eric Clapton, among many others.
He played and collected guitars, including acoustic and classical models and the choice of many rock guitarists, Fender. His favorite guitar was a white limited release Eric Clapton tribute model.
A good man with a fine sense of humor, Gregory “always tried to make people laugh and bring levity to the worst situations,” Nicholas said.
He is survived by his wife, Holly, of Harwich, and his two sons, Nicholas of Harwich and Louis of Sandwich.
A celebration of Gregory’s life is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Chatham VFW from 1 to 5 p.m. All are welcome.
