By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
ZEPHYRHILLS — It would not be a Friday night at Zephyrhills High School during the football season without Greg First’s voice, but his work on the east side of Pasco County goes further than that.
He has lived in Zephyrhills for more than 50 years and was the president of the Sunrise of Pasco abuse center. He spent two years on the board of directors of the San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival and is a member of the Conservative Club of East Pasco. His work in the community has earned him the Lincoln Heritage Award, given annually by the Conservative Club.
“I can think of about a thousand others that should get the award before me,” First said. “It’s really humbling to be receiving it.”
The award has been given for the last seven years to the person who has demonstrated community service throughout their lifetime. First will receive his award at a ceremony Feb. 26 at Zephyr Palms Events Centre, 4645 Airport Road in Zephyrhills,
“The previous year’s winner always presents the new winner with the award,” said Dick Albrecht, Conservative Club vice president. “Last year Wilton Simpson was the winner, and he is every bit as deserving as Greg. They’re both great people and do a lot for the community.”
First has been a member of the Conservative Club for more than two years. The club has members from Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel and the rest of the east side of Pasco.
“Greg is the kind of person who will treat you like you’ve been his friend forever the first time he meets you,” Albrecht said. “He is the only person I’ve ever met that you can ask him a favor and he’ll do it without any follow-up. He just does things for people all the time, and that’s one of the reasons he’s receiving the award.”
Gordon Hyde will be the master of ceremonies at the event.
“He and I are business partners with Zephyr Palms Events, so I work with him about as much as anyone,” Hyde said of First. “He just can’t say no to community service. He is the voice of just about every parade in Zephyrhills and Dade City and is always out helping people. He wasn’t looking to get the award, but he absolutely deserves to have it.”
First works with Hyde, but calls the Bulldogs football games with Kerry Ryman.
“We have fun no matter how good or bad the team is,” Ryman said. “I’ve been doing the games for 20 years and Greg’s been doing it a little longer. He is just a great person and very devoted to the community here in Zephyrhills and east Pasco.”
First was born in Ohio but moved to Zephyrhills when he was very young. He and wife Jenny consider the city home. Jenny had two children from a previous relationship, Kristen and Evan Alston, who First helped raise.
The new award winner first joined the club because of his upbringing.
“I was raised to get up each day, go to school and say the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer,” First said. “I’d like to see those traditional ways of doing things come back.”
First is also a lifetime member of Amvets, a service organization for people who have served in any branch of the U.S. armed forces.
“I was in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972, but I didn’t serve over there,” First said. “It’s nice to have an organization like Amvets where you can go and have people you can relate to. It doesn’t matter how long you served, where you served or in what branch you’ve served.”
First’s late father, James, served in the Coast Guard during World War II. Evan followed in First’s footsteps and joined the Air Force.
Many things have changed in Zephyrhills since First came to the city more than a half century ago, but he still feels the same about the area.
“It’s a great place to raise kids and live,” First said. “It still has a small town feeling where everyone tries to look out for everyone else. The community looks out for you and that’s why my family and me try to look out for the community.”
