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Mr. Herbert Gregory Woolard, 66, of New York City and Washington, North Carolina, passed away on Sept. 7, 2020, of complications from lung cancer at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

A Celebration of his Life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington. Those attending are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

He was the son of the late Sally Carrow Woolard and Roland Rivers Woolard Sr. He is survived by his brother, Roland Woolard (Linda); nephews, Brad (Jennifer) and Derek (Connie); a great-nephew, Dylan, all of whom he adored; and special aunt, Mary Woolard. He had many cousins in the area, who visited him in New York.

Greg maintained his membership in First Christian Church where he played the organ in the 1970s. Greg graduated from Washington High School in the Class of 1972. He attended East Carolina College and appeared in several theater productions there. Following college, he moved to NYC to pursue his dream of working in the theater. For many years, he represented Broadway shows on the TKTS line and Playbill dubbed him the “Flyer King” in one of their publications, as he was much sought after for his expertise in “selling” their show.

He worked in various positions with different theaters (Circle in the Square) and stage managed several shows including a cabaret show for Lorna Luft (Liza Minelli’s sister). He played a large role in the staging of the Clinton Inaugural and was stage manager for one of the balls. While living in NYC he never met a stranger and seldom forgot those whom he met. He loved showing hometown folks around “his” city and made sure they got the “red carpet treatment” and best show seats, etc. He worked for the “Phantom of the Opera” for 20 years. For the last several years, he has been the Stage-door manager for the musical “Wicked.”

Greg loved his family both real and adopted. Pianist Forest Perrin and his wife Leslie (a tunesmith) were close friends during his many years in NYC, and he enjoyed many happy times with them and their friends, including Rosemary Clooney and other notables in the theater. Greg loved Christmas and leaves behind an abundance of ornaments for the “Christmas Club” and special friends and relatives. He loved trains and had quite a collection stored in attics in Washington, along with special editions of Playbill. He loved Beaufort County and often came home on his birthday and would take a drive to see what was new since he last visited. He was especially fond of Bath, where he spent time in his youth with Aunt Albey. He leaves behind close friends Pat Lurvey and Jane Alligood and many friends in NYC who plan a memorial for him there.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.

Online condolence may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Woolard family.