TROY — The city is reeling from the sudden loss of Gregory D. Browne, 59, who was struck and killed by a vehicle on the evening of Wednesday, October 29. The collision, which unfolded around 7:59 p.m. near 622 Watervliet Shaker Road in Colonie, stunned a community that knew him as a steady friend, neighbor, and presence.
When emergency crews arrived, they found Gregory suffering from catastrophic injuries. Despite the swift response by Colonie EMS, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The abruptness of the loss has left loved ones scrambling to process what happened.
Colonie Police have confirmed that the driver remained at the scene, cooperated fully, and that impairment was not a factor. No criminal charges are expected, though the Traffic Safety Division continues to probe the exact circumstances of the collision and how it came to be.
In Troy, word of Gregory’s passing spread quickly. Many describe him as a humble, kind-hearted soul — the kind of person who greeted everyone with a smile, offered help without being asked, and made people feel seen. After the news broke, neighbors gathered: lighting candles along sidewalks, sharing stories of laughter and quiet support, offering prayers for his family who now face life without him.
One family friend put it simply: “Greg was one of the most genuine people you could ever meet. He cared about everyone and always made you feel seen and valued.” And over the following hours and days, that refrain echoed again and again across social media posts and in whispered conversations at local spots.
It’s clear the hole he left behind is wide. People remember Gregory’s warmth, his laughter, his calm strength when others were faltering. Though his days were cut far too short, so many vow to carry forward the light he brought into their lives.
In quiet houses, on street corners, in churches, people now speak his name softly — Gregory Browne — forever remembered, forever loved. May he rest in peace, and may his family and community find strength in the glow of shared memories and the comfort of each other.