Obituaries Gregory Soltis

Gregory Soltis

75, formerly of Walnutport, passed away on February 12, 2024 at Bethlehem Manor. Born on July

19, 1948, at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, he was the son of the late George “Pete” and Veronica (Osinkosky) Soltis. He is survived by a sister Gloria Soltis of North Catasauqua, who was his care-giver until she could not handle him anymore, and a brother-in-law Thomas Young of Lancaster. He was preceded by a sister Georgette Young. Gregory lived in South Bethlehem until he was (3). He then was raised in North Catasauqua. Greg is a Lehigh Valley native who made serving others and the community a life long passion. Greg graduated from Catasauqua H.S. and then Mansfield University with a Bachelor's Degree in History Education. After graduation, Greg joined VISTA, Volunteers in Service to America program, which is now part of the Ameri Corps. He spent the next two years in Tennessee serving the impoverished areas of the state lobbying to bring back food stamps to those in need. That is where he met his best VISTA friend Rick Brown. Upon returning to the Lehigh Valley Greg worked for several local companies including Bethlehem Steel, Howard's Construction and Hillenbrand Framing. Additionally, he worked pouring urethane floors for Versa Tech, racket ball courts for Martin Surfacing and Decking in Maryland. In 1984 he became foreman for Kempton Valley Builders. Greg became self employed in 1989 when he formed Greg's Enterprise Construction-Construction with Concern. His company employed carpenters who undertook commercial and residential projects. Greg lived in Laury's Station for a few years before moving to Walnutport where he became involved in many community organizations. He was a member of the Walnutport

Canal Assoc. and was part of the planning of the Annual Walnutport Canal Festival. He also did a lot of the construction at the Walnutport Canal Park. Greg was a member of the Walnutport Playground Assoc. where he played the Easter Bunny every year. He was a member of the Slatington Rotary Club, and a member of the Assumption BVM church in Slatington, where he sang in the church choir. In his youth Greg was an altar server at St. Andrew's church in North Catasauqua. Greg was a paperboy for the Bethlehem Globe Times receiving an award for the “Outstanding Newspaper Boy Award” presented by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Assoc. He also received the Annual Spirit Award from the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce. Greg was a Phillies fan his entire life and enjoyed reading the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines. Greg played baseball in 7th & 8th grades and then in high school. He wrestled on the Catty team with his best friend George Hillenbrand. Greg also sang in the school choir. He played football for the N. Catty Little League and later coached baseball at the Little League. His favorite past time was hiking. He would walk almost two miles to church every Sunday until he was hit by a hit & run driver. The driver got out, looked, but then left. Thank God there were witnesses. Greg wouldn't even leave a duck lay there. One day a duck was hit. Children nearby were so upset that they asked him for help. Greg took the duck to the animal hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital the receptionist said "Well I don't know if we do ducks.” Greg did not care about fancy clothing or cars. He didn't even have a TV for years until he couldn't walk much anymore. When the pandemic arrived Greg finally bought a TV to occupy his time. All Greg cared about was giving his money to GOOD causes. Among them, St. Jude Children's Hospital, the Smile Train Alzheimer's Association, the Canal Association, and his college. College years were his best years. It was at Mansfield where he met his best friend Ed Slattery. Greg gave blood at the Miller Blood Center. Greg was upset when he couldn't give blood anymore, and sad when he had to give up his license to drive and his trucks. Greg loved (his) canal so much. He would sit on the front porch, drink coffee, looking over (his) canal, commenting that it's like watching a movie. Anyone reading this obituary, if you ever come in contact with an Alzheimer's or Dementia patient, remember: do not ask them to remember, do not try to make them understand. Let them rest and know you're with them. They are confused beyond our concept. Kiss their cheek and hold their hand. They are sick and lost. All they know is that they need you to be with them at all cost. Do not lose your patience with them. Do not scold or curse their crying. They cannot control the way they act even if they try. REMEMBER, they need you because the BEST of them is gone. PLEASE do not fail to stand beside them. LOVE them until their life is done. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday March 2, 2024 at 11:00 am in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 633 W. Washington St. Slatington. Calling hours will be from 9:30-11:00 am in the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Greg's memory to his church Assumption BVM, St. Jude's, the Smile Train, Alzheimer's Association, the Walnutport Canal Association or his college. Arrangements have been entrusted to the O'Donnell Funeral Home, North Catasauqua.