Memories of Gregory Howard Payne

In memory of

Gregory Howard Payne

Hampton, CT

February 27, 1954 - December 7, 2019

Feb 27, 1954 - Dec 7, 2019

Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Gregory?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Dan Gardner

I'm so sad at losing Greg. The Payne family and friends and extended family have my condolences. Greg and I shared many an adventure, beginning with the time I first laid eyes on him in the cellar of the Crapo Gallery at Swain School of Design. He was playing a fast and furious ping-pong match with Tony Ledoux. Soon, I challenged him to a match and he beat me-badly...From that day on, we became fast friends. He nurtured my love of music and accompanied me to Providence (I was a hick country kid from a farm at the time)to haggle and help me pick out my first decent acoustic guitar. Up until that point, I'd been banging away on an old Sears Silvertone my dad had given me. He started several bands, and always included me in. I remember playing late nights in Howie and Ruth's cellar, practicing. Afterward, we'd end up around the kitchen table just visiting and listening to stories. Greg's mom, Ruth would always tease me about how she'd baked me a blueberry pie, getting my hopes up, but upon asking her for a piece later said she was only kidding. Greg had a wonderful sense of humor-just like his folks. That's what I'm going to miss most of all about him. For many years after my divorce, Greg and Linda welcomed me into their home like I was family. I'd go visit them a couple times a month; spend Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner and many other nights where I'd usually be alone at home. We always laughed a lot-I mean A Lot! This snapshot I've included occupies a small space on my desk at home. It was a gift created by Greg during his "sculpy clay modeling" years. He presented this to me on my 50th birthday, reminding me of "the summer of terror" when we became water balloon arsonists, deciding it would be great fun to hurl water balloons down at cars passing by his apartment window in Cranston. Later, we decided to try the roof. We did the same at my place in New Bedford, where our victims were usually the drunken patrons trying to make their way home from Doc Kennedy's Bar. Whoosh-right on the head with a water balloon! They never knew what hit them. I spoke with him briefly last week, and he told me he'd see me again-I truly believe he will-he'll have a great fishing spot all picked out for us in the ever-after. Bless you buddy-thanks for all the memories, music, art, re-enacting and most of all, love- rest in peace my good friend.
Dan Gardner

Read More Read Less

Robert Perwas

My Sincerest condolences to His Family.

Read More Read Less

Michael Stewart

Condolences to all the family and thinking of you Brother Greg
I'll remember the times we marched together, the stories we shared and the good times at Gettysburg.
Rest in peace my friend

Read More Read Less