Gregg M. McMaster, 1959-2025

Gregg M. McMaster, formerly of Basking Ridge, died Monday, May 19 at Morristown Medical Center after a short illness.

Born at St. Mary Hospital in Orange, Gregg grew up in Rutherford, attended St. Mary High School, and played defense for the 1977 undefeated State Champion football team.  After high school, Gregg moved west, living at various times in Washington State, New Mexico, and Colorado, where he learned the restaurant and hospitality trades, eventually joining the management team that brought the first TGI Fridays restaurant to New Jersey.  

Gregg was an avid skier, mountain biker, and overall outdoorsman, and his favorite places were in the mountains or by the sea.  A licensed hot air balloon pilot, Gregg spearheaded a cross-country hot air balloon race to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ landing in America in 1994. 

Returning to New Jersey in 2000, Gregg devoted himself to his family, especially his beloved nephews, Mike (Caitlin) and their daughter Riley, Matt, Bob and Dan McMaster, and Jack, Connor, and Matthew Williams.  He spent several years managing National Video in Basking Ridge before opening the first UPS Store franchise in the Somerset Hills.  Gregg looked forward to graduation season every year, as he and the UPS Store served as the central hub for what became known as “Balloons in June,” the town-wide initiative honoring Ridge High School’s graduating seniors and raising funds for “Project Graduation.”

Hampered with illness and health issues in the last ten years, Gregg continued to brighten lives in the various medical residences and specialized care facilities he lived in, where he was always ready with a kind word and a friendly smile. He kept an eye on other patients and residents, advocating for them when they could not speak for themselves. 

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Jack and Rose McMaster of Basking Ridge, Somerset, and Rutherford.  In addition to his seven nephews, Gregg is survived by his brother Jack and his wife Mary of Basking Ridge, and his sister Laurie (McMaster) Williams and her husband Jim, as well as countless aunts, cousins, and friends in New Jersey and around the country. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at 11:00AM at St. James Church in Basking Ridge, with burial to follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, also in Basking Ridge.   Family and friends will be received in the chapel prior to the funeral liturgy. 

Arrangements are through Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home in Basking Ridge (https://gcfuneralhome.com). Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Gregg’s life at the Basking Ridge Country Club following the cemetery service.  

Everyone who knew Gregg loved him.  And everyone who Gregg loved knew it.  He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, goodness and humor, and he will be enormously

missed.  

In lieu of flowers, Gregg’s family has established a memorial fund in his name to benefit St. Mary High School.

To make a donation, please visit

https://www.stmaryhs.org/page/give-today