Flyers Dr. John Gregg M.D. Passes Away

John R. Gregg, 60, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon for more than 30 years, died of heart disease Tuesday (June 22, 2004)at home in Paoli.

A sports-medicine expert, Dr. Gregg was a team physician for the Flyers in the 1980s and was an attending orthopedic surgeon for Olympic athletes at Lake Placid, N.Y., and in Los Angeles.

Born in Coal Center, Pa., Dr. Gregg earned a bachelor's degree in 1965 from St. Vincent College and a medical degree in 1969 from Bowman Gray School of Medicine in North Carolina.

Dr. Gregg was a flight surgeon for the Second Marine Aircraft Wing from 1970 to 1972 in Cherry Point, N.C. He was a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve from 1973 to 1977.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Gregg taught orthopedics and sports medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

He also directed pediatric sports medicine at Graduate Hospital.

"Dr. Gregg, who treated about 5,000 patients a year, was the type of caring doctor who gave his home phone number to every family after surgery," said colleague Ted Ganley.

"What I remember about Dr. John was how caring he was," said Joe Kadlec, who has served the Flyers since 1967 in PR. "He had the best laugh I have ever heard. Everyone loved this man."

Dr. Gregg is survived by his wife of 37 years, JoAnn Luketich Gregg; daughters Molly Philipp, Lisa Gregg-Platt and Amy; and three grandchildren. Friends may call at 2 and 7 p.m. today at Alleva Funeral Home, 1724 E. Lancaster Ave., Paoli. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Norbert Roman Catholic Church, 50 Leopard Rd., Paoli. Burial will be private.