Hector Charles Greenaway, 83, of Panama City, Republic of Panama, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of the family he cherished so deeply.

Hector was born on October 21, 1942 in Panama City to Ivan Greenaway and Delores "Lola" Duncan Greenaway. He grew up on Twenty-Five Street, Calidonia in Panama City where he attended Escuela Republica de Venezuela before graduating from El Instituto Nacional de Panama in 1962.                                                                              A gifted athlete in his youth, Hector played basketball for his high school, and went on to represent his country on the Panamanian national basketball team.

Hector later moved to Brooklyn, New York where he continued his education at City College of New York and Manhattan College, earning an Associate's degree in Business.  From 1964 to 1966, he proudly served his adopted country in the United States Army.

On July 6, 1968, Hector married the love of his life, Gloria Elena Campbell, in Brooklyn, New York — and from that day on, the two were inseparable. They would go on to become each other's forever dance partners, moving across dance floors together for decades, always in step, always laughing.  Just five days before his passing, on Monday, July 6, 2026, Hector and Gloria celebrated 58 years of marriage.  Their union produced one son, Everardo, who was the couple's pride and joy.  Hector was a devoted father who never missed anything Everardo was involved in — he attended every single game, supporting him and his friends and imparting valuable life lessons along the way.  Although he only had one son, his paternal influence shaped the trajectory of so many young people's lives, especially during his time living in Linden Plaza in Brooklyn.  He poured that same devotion into his grandchildren, Jordan, Peyton, and Justin.

Hector built a distinguished career as an accountant with Dominick and Dominick, where he worked for 26 years. He later brought his talents to the Federal Government, serving as an interpreter at the U.S. Immigration Court — a role he took great pride in, though he was occasionally reminded that his job was to translate, not to advocate on behalf of the person he was interpreting for. In 2011, Hector retired and returned with Gloria to his beloved Panama, where they lived happily until his illness required more extensive care.

A devout Catholic and member of Iglesia San Francisco de la Caleta, Hector's faith was a steady presence throughout his life. He was equally devoted to his community: as a founding-era member of Contadora Enterprises, the social club formed by Panamanian migrants in New York City in the mid-to-late 1970s, Hector helped build a home away from home for his fellow countrymen— a place to bond with one another and preserve and pass on their Panamanian culture to their children. The group was known for its lively all-night parties, and Hector and Gloria's home was the beloved after-party destination — where everyone was welcome, and no one left hungry. Known affectionately within the group as "Negro Cimarrón," Hector also kept close ties to his high school classmates for the rest of his life, faithfully attending their weekly gatherings.

To know Hector was to know the life of the party. Charismatic, warm, and fiercely loyal to his friends, he had a gift for making every room brighter the moment he walked in. He loved to sing, to recite poetry — his booming, passionate performance of "Incidente de Cumbia" was legendary among those who knew him — and, above all, to dance with Gloria. He was an incredible cook who prepared nearly every family meal himself and took deep joy in feeding anyone who walked through his door. His love for performance was passed on to his only granddaughter, Peyton. It was his pride and joy to attend her recitals, competitions, and plays over the years, and Hector's talents live on through her.

Hector's curiosity about the world was boundless. An avid reader, especially of National Geographic, he seemed to know the entire globe by heart; ask him about any country, and he could not only tell you where it was located, but also tell you its history. That love of the world took him and Gloria on travels across the globe, always side by side — Cuba remained his favorite trip of all, and his final journeys abroad took him to Turkey, Egypt, and Dubai, with one more trip home to Panama this past January.

A die-hard sports fan, Hector followed basketball, football, futbol, tennis, baseball, and especially boxing with equal passion.  He bled Knicks blue and orange, and was a devoted Giants fan, and this year he had the joy of watching the Knicks win the championship alongside his son, grandson, and close family friends. This summer, true to form, he was cheering loudly for Panama in the World Cup. That love of sports, especially baseball, was one he shared closely with his grandson Jordan.  Late last year, when Hector learned his health was declining and his treatments were palliative, his one goal was to make it to Jordan's graduation from Brandeis University this past May. Witnessing his son and then his grandson graduate from that same university filled him with immense pride.

 Hector shared a special bond with his grandson Justin, who fondly called his grandfather "Little Pops." As Hector's health declined, you never had to look far for Justin — his preferred spot was right next to his grandfather, gently rubbing his head, face, or hand, never leaving his side, always checking on his Little Pops. Pops, Little Pops, and Big Pops became terms of endearment reserved especially for Hector, his son, and his grandsons.

He was lovingly cared for at home by his beautiful wife, Gloria, supported by a fabulous hospice team. Just days before he passed, the hospice team arranged a beautiful celebration in honor of Hector and Gloria's 58th wedding anniversary, complete with flowers, cake, and a musician who serenaded the couple with "La Gloria Eres Tú" — the very song Hector had sung to his Gloria throughout their life together. It was a fitting, tender tribute to a love that lasted a lifetime.

Hector is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Gloria Greenaway; his son, Everardo Greenaway (Jenelle); his three grandchildren, Jordan, Peyton, and Justin Greenaway; his sister, Graciela "Chela" Dacent; cousin Marcelino Campbell; nieces Sabrina Lopez, Jessica Bernard, and Angelica Bernard; nephews Javier Lopez and Enrique Bernard; and a host of cousins, extended family, and friends whose lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan Greenaway and Delores Duncan Greenaway; his siblings, Everardo "Eve" Greenaway and Eleonor Lopez-Esdel; and his grandmother, Maria Roberts.

Hector, the music will keep playing, and we will keep dancing — until we meet again.