Obituary of Gregory H. Makitra
Gregory Makitra passed away at home, on December 24th 2024. Greg was born in Bath NY on April 16, 1957 to Harry and Barbara Snell Makitra. He was a 1975 graduate of Haverling Central School.
Greg was a long time employee of Acme Markets. In 1996 he enrolled in college and received his Bachelors of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology from Mansfield University. He continued to work as an IT specialist until his retirement. A profession he loved. He could build a computer entirely from scratch, and repair any problem it had.
Greg was an avid motorcyclist from a very early age. He owned many dirt bikes, and raced at the Cameron Race Track in the 1970s. It was a lifelong love, as he continued to own and ride motorcycles up until his passing.
He also had a deep love for classic cars, specifically the Ford Mustang. He owned many throughout his life. He was especially proud to be the owner of a 1966 Shelby GT 350, and he frequented many car shows often winning awards for his prized vehicle.
Motorcycles and cars were not the only things he loved. Music was a huge passion of Gregs. He lived for the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac (mainly Stevie Nicks) , and Blue Oyster Cult. He played the guitar and keyboard almost nightly, even writing a song for his daughter when she was little. He enjoyed hunting, movie and pizza nights, and feeding the racoons at his home.
As a dad, he was really great at making Christmas time unforgettable and special. Even with a surprise trip to the North Pole, and footprints put on the roof of his house. His daughter would wake up to the magic of Christmas and find a bell from a reindeer or a mitten from Santa by the fireplace.
Greg will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his daughter Julia (Tommy) Makitra-Bourgeois, his mother Barbara, sisters Kimberly and Cathy (Kelly Beam), along with many cousins. He was predeceased by his father Harry, his paternal grandparents Stephen and Mary Lotosh Makitra, maternal grandparents William and Lena Obrochta Snell, Norman Max Wisner, and many aunts and uncles.
A private celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.
“Turn off your mind, relax and float down the stream. It is not dying. It is not dying. Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void. It is shining. It is shining.” ~The Beatles
