I didn't know Greg that well but he will be missed. My prayers and thoughts goes out to his family. Cancer has taken so many friends and family. May he rest in peace without pain now.
I followed Greg into my kindergarten class in 1955 and out of SMHS in 1968. He gifted sweet memories filled with smiles and positivity. He created a lovely family and a legacy of hard work and determination with which each and every student he touched can now aspire to. God gave him a short, but full life filled with love and happiness and his pathway to heaven sparkles with his laughter and song ~ RIP dear friend....
Greg was a dear friend. Great person and so talented. Madrigals was amazing our senior year. I so enjoyed his warm spirit. Myrna mentioned our fun with him. My memories of SMHS have Greg all through them. What a SAINT at SMHS he was
I was saddened by the notice of Greg's passing. Knowing it was coming it doesn't make it any easier. I didn't meet Greg until I transferred to SMHS in my junior year. Sang with him in choir that year and in both choir and Madrigals our senior year. I was on that bus with him (no sleepy sleepy!) on our return trip from Occidental College. He had that upbeat, positive attitude that I'll always remember. There was never a doubt that he could "get it done." And he had an excellent bass voice to boot! would loved to have been able to sing with him on more time. I hope his family can take comfort in knowing that he made such a difference in so many lives.
Like all of you, I am deeply saddened by the death of Greg Straolzini. Unlike most of you, I did not know the Greg of Madrigal fame. One big reason for that is that I could not sing, and still cannot sing a decent note. I do not recall having Greg in many of my high school classes. I did not know Greg until we got to high school (I was a Main Streeter/Feslerite). Yet, other than a small neighborhood bunch I grew up with from grade school on, I probably spent as much time in and around Greg more than most people I knew at SMHS. Like Ed, I mainly knew Greg through athletics. Every day, just about, I would see and be with him in the infamous eighth period PE class. Greg and I were cross-country runners and middle distance runners on the track team. For those unfamiliar, track is a strange sport. Although at the end of a meet, there were tallied team scores, it is a highly individual sport. Most of those who participated in track, it is more like three “sub-sports”. There were those who participated in the field events and the sprinters. Then there were those of us who were the distance runners. Greg and I were part of the latter. That means we competed in two out of the three sports seasons. We also worked out daily in the off-season together. Greg was a consummate competitor with an indomitable spirit. He was our best, bar none. Although specific memories are faded, I cannot recall if I ever beat him in formal competition, we ran almost identical events. If I did, it was a rarity. I could push him hard sometimes, but he usually prevailed. I also got to know him pretty well too. Like all of you, I have many fond and indelible memories. He was a character. One could not easily forget his force of personality. When, on occasion, I reflect on my high school experiences, almost always Greg’s presence comes to mind. I do hope, wish, and pray his family finds peace in their love. Greg’s memory lives long and wide. God Bless you.
Greg symbolizes the "goodness" in everyone. He modeled humility, grace, chivalry, and made everyone he met so welcomed. I met Greg in high school singing together with the Madrigals. He had a great voice and made Madrigals such a super group to be part of. I admired his genuine spirit and great sense of humor. His smile and laughter connected you to him immediately. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and get reacquainted with him and is wife with each of our wonderful reunions. I know he was a great teacher and made a tremendous impact on all of his students---he was my friend and he'll always be part of our golden treasure.The world is indeed a better place because of Greg. He made a great difference in many people's lives. He did in mine. RIP and our prayers and love, Edna
It is wonderful to read all the comments about Greg and have some insight into the many ways he touched so many of our lives. As a fellow teacher, I am confident his students were impacted in a postive way by his enthusiastic spirit and love of life, as well. I know how powerful that connection can be in a young person's life. So Greg's footprints are here among us: his family, students, coworkers and friends as he left behind a legacy of how to life a full life and one of contribution and service. May we all be comforted knowing he is still among us as an example of how to embrace each day to its fullest and find joy.
So sorry to hear this news. I didn't know Greg that well in High School, but I liked him and knew he was a good guy. I found him on Facebook just before he learned about his cancer, or just after. I followed him on facebook closely. He went through it with such strength, class and grace. "Team stolz" you are amazing. You are an examle to us all. Rest in Peace Greg. What a good man you turned out to be.
Greg connected with each of us in a distinct way. Our connection--we shared the same birth-date, not the same year. He was 1949, I am 1950. He often would mention this, duly noting his elder status. One could always count on Greg to throw himself into a project. We had dreamed of him getting the choir together to sing for our 50th reunion. We shall miss his rich voice
I remember Greg as an encourager. When I was trying out for cross country and track he would always encourage me to do my best. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family.
Janet Gerletti (Gilman)
I didn't know Greg that well but he will be missed. My prayers and thoughts goes out to his family. Cancer has taken so many friends and family. May he rest in peace without pain now.
Corinne Araki (Araki-Kawaguchi)
I followed Greg into my kindergarten class in 1955 and out of SMHS in 1968. He gifted sweet memories filled with smiles and positivity. He created a lovely family and a legacy of hard work and determination with which each and every student he touched can now aspire to. God gave him a short, but full life filled with love and happiness and his pathway to heaven sparkles with his laughter and song ~ RIP dear friend....
Brian Bodholdt
Greg was a dear friend. Great person and so talented. Madrigals was amazing our senior year. I so enjoyed his warm spirit. Myrna mentioned our fun with him. My memories of SMHS have Greg all through them. What a SAINT at SMHS he was
Dan Gracia
I was saddened by the notice of Greg's passing. Knowing it was coming it doesn't make it any easier. I didn't meet Greg until I transferred to SMHS in my junior year. Sang with him in choir that year and in both choir and Madrigals our senior year. I was on that bus with him (no sleepy sleepy!) on our return trip from Occidental College. He had that upbeat, positive attitude that I'll always remember. There was never a doubt that he could "get it done." And he had an excellent bass voice to boot! would loved to have been able to sing with him on more time. I hope his family can take comfort in knowing that he made such a difference in so many lives.
The world is a better place because he was in it.
Dan
Steve Leger
Like all of you, I am deeply saddened by the death of Greg Straolzini. Unlike most of you, I did not know the Greg of Madrigal fame. One big reason for that is that I could not sing, and still cannot sing a decent note. I do not recall having Greg in many of my high school classes. I did not know Greg until we got to high school (I was a Main Streeter/Feslerite). Yet, other than a small neighborhood bunch I grew up with from grade school on, I probably spent as much time in and around Greg more than most people I knew at SMHS. Like Ed, I mainly knew Greg through athletics. Every day, just about, I would see and be with him in the infamous eighth period PE class. Greg and I were cross-country runners and middle distance runners on the track team. For those unfamiliar, track is a strange sport. Although at the end of a meet, there were tallied team scores, it is a highly individual sport. Most of those who participated in track, it is more like three “sub-sports”. There were those who participated in the field events and the sprinters. Then there were those of us who were the distance runners. Greg and I were part of the latter. That means we competed in two out of the three sports seasons. We also worked out daily in the off-season together. Greg was a consummate competitor with an indomitable spirit. He was our best, bar none. Although specific memories are faded, I cannot recall if I ever beat him in formal competition, we ran almost identical events. If I did, it was a rarity. I could push him hard sometimes, but he usually prevailed. I also got to know him pretty well too. Like all of you, I have many fond and indelible memories. He was a character. One could not easily forget his force of personality. When, on occasion, I reflect on my high school experiences, almost always Greg’s presence comes to mind. I do hope, wish, and pray his family finds peace in their love. Greg’s memory lives long and wide. God Bless you.
Steve
Edna Montes (Ehleringer)
Greg symbolizes the "goodness" in everyone. He modeled humility, grace, chivalry, and made everyone he met so welcomed. I met Greg in high school singing together with the Madrigals. He had a great voice and made Madrigals such a super group to be part of. I admired his genuine spirit and great sense of humor. His smile and laughter connected you to him immediately. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and get reacquainted with him and is wife with each of our wonderful reunions. I know he was a great teacher and made a tremendous impact on all of his students---he was my friend and he'll always be part of our golden treasure.The world is indeed a better place because of Greg. He made a great difference in many people's lives. He did in mine. RIP and our prayers and love, Edna
Sherry Temple (Teachout)
It is wonderful to read all the comments about Greg and have some insight into the many ways he touched so many of our lives. As a fellow teacher, I am confident his students were impacted in a postive way by his enthusiastic spirit and love of life, as well. I know how powerful that connection can be in a young person's life. So Greg's footprints are here among us: his family, students, coworkers and friends as he left behind a legacy of how to life a full life and one of contribution and service. May we all be comforted knowing he is still among us as an example of how to embrace each day to its fullest and find joy.
Vicki McDowell (Vicki Palmer)
So sorry to hear this news. I didn't know Greg that well in High School, but I liked him and knew he was a good guy. I found him on Facebook just before he learned about his cancer, or just after. I followed him on facebook closely. He went through it with such strength, class and grace. "Team stolz" you are amazing. You are an examle to us all. Rest in Peace Greg. What a good man you turned out to be.
Bev Spuhler (Vietor)
Greg connected with each of us in a distinct way. Our connection--we shared the same birth-date, not the same year. He was 1949, I am 1950. He often would mention this, duly noting his elder status. One could always count on Greg to throw himself into a project. We had dreamed of him getting the choir together to sing for our 50th reunion. We shall miss his rich voice
Phil Christensen
I remember Greg as an encourager. When I was trying out for cross country and track he would always encourage me to do my best. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family.