Brooklyn mourns the loss of 'Big Greg,' owner of Greg's Trees
“It gives me chills thinking that it’s the first year without ‘Big Greg.’ I miss him a lot,” said Eric Kang, an employee at Greg’s Trees. “He was a good friend.”
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Hearts are heavy this holiday season, as Brooklyn mourns the loss of a community staple.
Greg’s Trees on Driggs Avenue and Lorimer Street in Greenpoint is still spreading holiday cheer, but this year the business is missing a “big” part.
“It gives me chills thinking that it’s the first year without ‘Big Greg.’ I miss him a lot,” said Eric Kang, an employee at Greg’s Trees. “He was a good friend.”
The family of business owner Greg Walsh, known to many as “Big Greg,” said he lost his years-long battle with prostate cancer back in May - on what was his 63rd birthday.
“[He was] my role model, and he was a true entrepreneur,” said Walsh’s 22-year-old son, known as “Little Greg” Walsh.
The retired special education teacher founded Greg’s Trees in 1985 and expanded his business to six locations across the city.
He also sold pumpkins in the fall. News 12 caught up with “Big Greg” several years ago.
But some said Walsh was best known for his white beard and red Santa suit.
“[My dad] would try and wear that suit as much as he could,” said “Little Greg.”
“Big Greg was the embodiment of Santa Claus,” said Kang. “He was really generous. He was loving. He always had a smile and was making people laugh. He was a comedian.”
“Big Greg” was not only known for having a big personality and big heart, but he was also known for connecting with his customers and communities for nearly four decades.
“He loved the community,” said “Little Greg.” “The community loved him.”
Walsh’s dedication appears in an Amazon Prime documentary released on Dec. 1 titled “The Merchants of Joy,” which features five families in the holiday tree business.
“Big Greg’s” message in the trailer video is less about the industry and more about life.
“It took me getting cancer to realize I should stop and smell the roses a little bit more,” said Walsh in the Amazon Prime trailer. “It all comes down to nothing at the end, so you might as well be happy.”
His words now sit on a poster at the register of Greg’s Trees in memory of “Big Greg.”
