Pensacola, FL- John Eric Greeley, 53, of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and a longtime former resident of Buskirk and Grafton, died suddenly May 20, 2017 at his residence in Florida.[Private] Born in Troy, April 6, 1964, John was the son of the late Theodore and Lorraine (Fernet) Greeley.
John was a 1982 graduate of Hoosick Falls High School. On February 10, 1983, John entered the United States Air Force and after basic training was stationed at several air bases across the world, the last being Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany. 
While serving, John was a structural craftsman working with the “Red Horse” division of civil engineering. He served many short tours of duty in support of our troops helping to erect housing and shelters, including during Operation Desert Storm. In addition to being an expert marksman with small arms, he was awarded many ribbons and clusters for meritorious service to our country before being honorably discharged on November 16, 1994 with the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5).
For several years after the service he was employed as a construction worker by the former Matzen Construction Inc. of Raymertown before returning to Florida. John was a longtime member of AM-VETS, Post #29 in Destin, Florida. John’s pride and joy was his 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1. He was an avid golfer, and loved to play with his brother, Bill and sister, Tammy, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He additionally enjoyed the art of photography and was a NASCAR fan who rooted for the Rusty Wallace race team.
John is survived by his brothers and sisters, James E. and Wanda Greeley of Grafton, Paul A. Greeley of Grafton, William J. Greeley of Clinton, SC, Diane J. Mullins of Hoosick Falls and Tammy L. Greeley of Troy, his lifelong “best friend” Kathy Fleming-Spendiff of Cambridge, a paternal aunt and uncle, Sarah “Sally” Cameron of Wilton and Richard “Dick” Greeley of Half Moon, five nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends in Florida.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, June 15 at 7 pm at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc. in Raymertown with Rev. Gaylord Campbell officiating.
Relatives and friends called at the funeral home prior to the service. Burial with military honors was held on Friday, June 16 at 1:30 pm at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery in Schuylerville.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 in memory of SSgt. John Eric Greeley. [/Private]