Gregory J. Baumbach, Sr.

Gregory J. Baumbach Sr., 80, of Baldwinsville, NY, passed away on Friday, in Huntsville, Alabama after a courageous battle with ALS. Greg was born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in Pequannock, NJ. He graduated from St. Joseph’s School followed by DePaul Catholic High School. Greg then attended Villanova University until he married his high school sweetheart Ruth Ann Boardman in July 1968. He remained a staunch Villanova basketball fan and enjoyed the rivalry with Syracuse when he made Central NY his home. Ruth Ann and Greg raised six children, taking pride in seeing them all successfully graduate from college, get married and bless them with many grandchildren to enjoy. After Ruth Ann’s passing in 2017, Greg found love and companionship with his high school friend Corinne McGowan Gleason. With his marriage to Corinne in 2021, he and his family gained an even larger extended family.

Greg’s love of cars led him to a long career with the Chevrolet division of General Motors, where he worked both in the sales and service areas. He interacted with dealers all over central NY, as well as resolving many customer concerns throughout his career. His success earned him many rewarding trips that he and Ruth Ann enjoyed, including Germany, the Caribbean and Alaskan cruises. Greg and Ruth Ann also enjoyed traveling with their children, with annual trips to New Jersey to visit family every summer, and adventures to Walt Disney World which Greg loved to plan with meticulous detail. He also travelled locally, shuffling five boys to hockey games and tournaments all over central NY and occasionally up to Canada.

After retiring from GM, he held several additional jobs that supported his newfound passion in retirement: hand-painting Civil War soldiers. He offered them on eBay alongside a story of the depicted regiment of soldiers. He painted over 30,000 soldiers over the course of 25 years, and developed friendships with many of the buyers out of their shared interest in Civil War history. He also enjoyed visiting Ruth Ann’s 5th grade class once a year dressed as a Civil War soldier to teach the students about the War. Greg was a man of tradition and routine, whether it was remembering to mail a birthday card to every family member every year, drinking coffee at any and every hour of the day, or falling asleep on the couch at 10 PM only to wake up in time for the evening news. Greg was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Baldwinsville since its inception. He was predeceased by his first wife Ruth Ann, in 2017, and his parents Louis and Helen.

Left to cherish his memory are his second wife of five years, Corinne Baumbach, his daughter, Kristen (Drew) Shambarger, five sons; Gregory “Greg” (Darcy) Baumbach Jr., Eric (Gina) Baumbach, Steve (Parsla) Baumbach, Geoff (Michelle) Baumbach, and Marc (Laura) Baumbach, and 16 beloved grandchildren. He will also be remembered fondly by his two sisters, Jean (Bill) Hrynkiewicz, Karin (Rudy) Fuehrer, three brothers Cliff (Jodie) Baumbach, Bruce (Rina) Baumbach, Kurt (Tammy) Baumbach, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, 3541 State Rt 31 Baldwinsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 10:00 am in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 3494 State Rt 31 Baldwinsville. The Rite of Committal and Inurnment will follow the funeral at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Baldwinsville.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Greg’s memory to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Jerome L. Greene Family Center, 132 W. 32nd St. New York, NY 10001 or the ALS Association.

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home on-line guest book for Gregory to express your condolences to his family.