A consummate gentleman with a wide social circle, Alexis Gregory was battling Parkinson’s disease when he contracted COVID-19, passing away during Passover on April 11.

He was born on April 26, 1936 in Zurich, Switzerland, to Russian émigré parents.

Gregory’s studies took him to the shores of the United States, where he graduated with top honors from Harvard University in 1957. He then studied at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration in 1959.

Gregory began working for renowned art publisher Albert Skira in Geneva and New York, eventually opening the Vendome Press with a focus on publishing books covering the arts, architecture and culture.

He maintained an impressive art collection himself and served on art committees at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sotheby’s and Harvard. He also co-published The Journal of Art.

Gregory was a world traveler, fluent in six languages. He wrote articles for such publications as Condé Nast Traveler and books on the subject, including The Golden Age of Travel and Life in The Gilded Age. In 2000, he established the Vendome Prize, described by the French newspaper Le Figaro as a prestigious piano competition.

Gregory was an engaged member of the community and served three years as chairman of the American Friends of the Israel Museum. He was recognized for his cultural contributions with the Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour) in France and the Cavalliere al Merito Della Republica Italiana (Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) in Italy.

A lifelong bachelor, he is survived by an older brother, theater director Andre Gregory of “My Dinner With Andre” film fame; and a younger brother, Peter Gregory; in addition to extended family.

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