Pharmacists once took time to talk to customers and sometimes knew more about patients than their doctors did. Norris Gregory was one such “old-school” pharmacist.
The longtime Peninsula pharmacist died Aug. 13 in his sleep at home in Los Altos. He was four days shy of his 79th birthday.
Mr. Gregory, of Armenian heritage, was born Aug. 17, 1927, to Norris Sr. and Roxie Gregory in Los Angeles. He spent most of his young life in San Francisco, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1944 before enlisting in the Navy. He served in Word War II and was honorably discharged in 1947.
He then enrolled in the University of Colorado, where he earned a degree to become a registered pharmacist in 1951.
Mr. Gregory opened his first pharmacy in 1953 in Daly City, where he met his wife of 48 years, Lorraine. She was charmed by his sense of humor. “He was a handsome brute, a real nice guy,” Lorraine said.
In the late 1950s, the Gregorys moved down the Peninsula and opened a store at Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Mountain View. Mr. Gregory moved the store in 1982 to Rancho Shopping Center in Los Altos, where he retired in 2002.
Mr. Gregory, who sponsored many local Little League teams, proudly displayed pictures of his teams throughout the store, and even held contests for recognizing teammates from yesteryear.
Mr. Gregory was a pharmacist for more than 50 years, and he was a member of the American and California Pharmaceutical associations.
“He enjoyed the pharmacy business so much,” said his daughter Colleen Mills. “He put his heart and soul into his pharmacy. He treated his customers on a personal level, like they were part of his family.”
His professional, civic and social affiliations were numerous. He was a charter member of Rotary International in Daly City, and past president of the Mountain View Chapter. He belonged to The Triple X Club, an Armenian men’s fraternity, and the Elks Club, the Olympic Club and the Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Gregory was an avid poker player, convening with the same group for more than 35 years.
In the 1960s he was a go-kart racer, and he was known as the Flying Pharmacist. He went off the track a few times to earn that moniker.
Mr. Gregory also raised horses for several years on an acre-and-a-half property in Los Altos Hills. Later, he converted the property to a 200-vine vineyard and plunged into the art of winemaking. His Cabernet was a highlight, and his wines won ribbons.
“He was very giving and always willing to help others,” Mills said. “He was a very strong man (mentally and physically). He stood up for his ideals.”
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; three daughters, Janelle Day (Alan), Colleen Mills (Steve) and Darleen Eagleton (Bill); and five grandchildren, Gregory, Nicole, Gail, Katie and Jody.
A celebration of Mr. Norris’ life will be held 12:30 p.m. Saturday at The Gregory Vineyard on Magdalena Road in Los Altos Hills.
