Obituary of Gregory Anthony Wirth

Gregory Anthony Wirth (1954 - 2016) Beloved husband, father, and friend, Greg Wirth passed away unexpectedly on October 14, 2016 at his home in Ben Lomond, Calif. He was 61. Born on December 17, 1954, in San Francisco, Calif., Greg was the eldest of the four children of George and Geraldine Wirth. He graduated from De La Salle High School in Walnut Creek and received his Bachelor's Degree in History from UC, Berkeley where he was active in ROTC. Following graduation, Greg worked for G. A. Wirth Company, a company founded by his parents, for almost 40 years and achieved success selling and distributing Industrial building supplies and pneumatics for the booming high-tech market in Silicon Valley. In 1985, he returned to school and finished his MBA at St. Mary's College in Moraga. In 1973 Greg began his lifelong love of historical reenactment at the Northern Renaissance and Dicken's Christmas Faires. He met many of his great friends there, including his first wife, Karen Petersen, and his wife at the time of his death, Sarah (Stewart) Hawklyn. He later added Civil War sites to his long list of places to visit. Greg enjoyed playing games with friends ranging from WWII naval battles to the newly developed Dungeons & Dragons. He embraced the Game Con communities and wrote many a wonderful LARP utilizing the zany world of Teenagers From Outer space. During his recent retirement he expanded this world into a youth literature book that we hope someday to see published. Greg was a devoted father and spent quality time with his children coaching soccer, supporting the children's theater and attending his beloved SF Giants and Oakland A's baseball games. He added many other children to his fatherly circle with multiple God Children and ex-officio nieces. Greg spent many years with his family in Alameda and 3 years ago moved to Ben Lomond to begin a new life. In Santa Cruz County he became very active in the Santa Cruz Mineral and Gem Society where his wonderful voice could be heard announcing their annual extravaganza. Greg was a lifelong lover of many music genres, and in Santa Cruz, he enjoyed the many opportunities offered by the Celtic Music Society, and especially loved the band, "Molly's Revenge". Greg is survived by his wife Sarah, Children, Kristin Wirth, George Anthony Wirth II, Godsons/stepsons Benjamin and Scott Hawklyn, Sister Gabrielle and brothers Dennis and Terry , Nephews Max Torres, Leo, Josh and Spencer Wirth, as well as his beloved dog and cat children. Greg loved to say he was "19 forever" and will remain so in our hearts. He was taken too soon from us and his 'bigger than life' self will be greatly missed. A viewing and service for Greg will be Sunday Oct 23 at the Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made in Greg's name to the San Francisco Junior Giants at www.jrgiants.org (then click Donate button in upper right corner) or call 415-972-2430.