Greg was born November 16, 1960 in San Jose California, the first-born son of Robert and Gwendolyn. As a child he lived in San Jose, Gustine and San Jose again. He attended San Jose public schools and graduated from Gunderson High School. After attending Evergreen Community College and San Jose State University where he studied accounting, he started keeping accounts for KRW, a tire service. He moved from there to ME Wall construction company and then to Accent Interiors where for more than 20 years he was the production manager. Just this year he took the important leap to start his own company, Accent Flooring, looking to spread his wings, find that additional measure of independence, and test his entrepreneurial skills.

The seeds of ownership and being his own boss might have begun in Greg's middle school years. At that time, his grandfather, Henry, greatly enjoyed the company of Greg and his brother, Paul. By spending time together, Greg, in particular, saw the challenges of running a small business. Henry was then the contract manager of the Gilroy Golf Course. The two brothers learned that you had to manage the big picture to have all the golf you wanted.

Greg's love of golf was probably born in Gilroy, but it was surely nurtured over many years by his parents, Bob and Gwen, through the summers playing in the Northern California Junior Golf events and family golfing trips including an annual trip to Hawaii in December. And his love of golf continued through his adult years through participation in the Campbell Club where he was a board member.

While golf was a mainstay for family life and with his friends—most who stayed together from high school years through today--there was also basketball--until their knees gave out--and poker. We will wait for others to reveal his on-court basketball styles and poker tells.

Not one to boast of his intelligence, Greg was the kind of child who could give complicated driving instructions at the age of five and skillfully play his mah jong hand without ever sorting his tiles (which is like playing bridge without sorting your cards by suit or number).

Greg's best friend was likely his brother, Paul, though his mother often said they were like Felix Unger and Oscar Madison. They were also housemates for nearly their entire lives. Greg undoubtedly missed his younger brother who died in 2012, also so long before his time. Still, Greg seemed, over time, to be finding his footing and moving forward.

His interest in cooking grew. You could always count on his oversized cookies and—in the past several years—his braised pork ribs at Christmas dinners were a mainstay. He also loved to read: Thomas Clancy, James Patterson, or Ken Follett books, and his e-reader as always close at hand.

More than anything else, we all know of Greg's good heart and loyalty. He might have sometimes doubted himself but those who loved him saw his steady kindness, quiet humor and willingness to flow with life for the good and the bad.

We will surely miss him.

Visitation Monday, October 3, 2016 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Habing Family Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life will be October 9, 2016 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch, 475 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas, CA 93906. After the Celebration be our guest for a round of golf – email ginrng@aol.com to reserve tee-time.

Family would appreciate donations to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.