Will DeGregorio

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Will. William Rocco Shields DeGregorio passed away peacefully on June 2, 2020, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with pediatric cancer. Will was born on March 2, 2009, to his parents Kara Shields, of Cranford and Vincent DeGregorio, of Neptune City. 

Will loved anything and everything related to sports and was a fierce competitor. He loved playing video games with his friends and bantering back and forth about plays, players and coaches with anyone that would challenge his knowledge of the sport & the game. Will loved all games & tried many different sports, but he mostly loved baseball & playing on the field with his teammates.Nothing will compare to his 8U baseball team’s victory. After rally caps inspired a morale boost, the team came from behind and secured an unforgettable WIN for the Championship. Dairy Queen for dinner was a must after that! He was a gifted athlete and exceled in all he aspired to achieve. He loved the color blue, any shade of it mainly because blue represented all of his favorite professional teams: NY Giants, NY Yankees, and NY Rangers. His favorite season was winter because he loved a good sledding session and he disliked insects.

Though faced with a myriad of challenges in his life, his grit & determination allowed him to brighten up every room he entered. His beautiful blue eyes and infectious smile & giggle allowed everyone around him to feel at ease, even when he was in discomfort. He was such a funny kid and had a gift for making people laugh, most especially his friends at Brookside Place School in Cranford. Sometimes that laughter would occur during a lesson at school when even his teachers couldn’t hide their smile. His True Blue buddies were his Calvary CrewFrankie, Brody, Brendan, and Kiran. These boys & so many others share unforgettable moments with Will.

His greatest loves are the ones that he is survived by, his mother Kara Shields & DomCino. his father Vincent DeGregorio, & step-mother Kathy.  Step-siblings Joey (Kate) & Courtney Majors.  Pop Pop George Sullivanof Bradley Beach & his Nanny & Poppy Judy & Bill Shields, of Avon-by-the-Sea. He was predeceased by his grandparents Dorothy & Donald DeGregorio & Mary Sullivan.  Will loved spending time with his family and will be missed by all of his aunts, uncles & cousins most especially Olive & Ivy.

A private service for family will be held on Saturday June 6 at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home.  In Will’s honor, his family will be wearing blue.  Following his service,beginning at 10:45 am, the family will be driving a special route through Cranford.  We invite anyone who would like to bid farewell to our Warrior to do so with their families respecting social distancing.  He will then proceed to his final resting place in St. Anne’s Cemetery in Wall Twp.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following organizations, who have both been so caring & giving to Will:

Foundation for Morristown Medical Center

Valerie Center

P.O. Box 35558 

Newark, NJ  07193

Cranford PAL 

P.O. Box 1021

Cranford, NJ  07016

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Will DeGregorio, please visit our floral store.