First published in the Sept. 15 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
Gregory “Greg” Francis Boyer, 75, of Pasadena, California died peacefully in his sleep of Alzheimer’s disease on Sept. 12 at Stoney Point Nursing Home in Chatsworth, California. A Memorial Mass will be held in his honor at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at St. Felicitas and Perpetua Church at 1190 Palomar Road in San Marino. A reception will follow at the church.
Born on April 6, 1947, in Altadena, California, to the late Verne and Janie Boyer, Greg was the eldest of four siblings: Denise Tanner of San Francisco, the late Steve Boyer of Phoenix, and Jeannine Andrews (Gene) of Grover Beach. He is survived by his daughter Stephanie Hagmaier (Cole) of Virginia and three grandchildren. A favorite uncle of his nieces and nephews: Lisa Norkus (Tyler), Tracy Tanner, Kristin Tanner, Justin Boyer, Matthew Boyer (Michelle), Chris Andrews (Michelle) and Karen Marrs (Ryan). He enjoyed seven great nephews and nieces. An integral support to our family was Verne’s brother the late Msgr. Leland J. Boyer, formerly of St. Bede’s parish in La Cañada.
Greg graduated from St. Francis High School in La Cañada, attended both Pasadena City College, where he was the president of the Beta Phi Delta Fraternity, and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
Greg loved Pasadena, good food, reading, history, movies, symphonies, dressing well and community involvement. He was also a sports fan, cheering especialy hard for the Dodgers, Rams and USC Trojans.
He performed for several years as a White Suiter member of Pasadena Rose Parade operations team and served as coordinator of volunteers for the Religious Education Annual Conference at the Anaheim Convention Center for 50 years. Additionally, Greg served on the board for the Bishop Gooden Home in the late 1990s.
He was also chaiman of the La Cañada Flintridge’s Fiesta Days Parade, held annualy on Memorial Day, from 2004-2009.
In his younger years, Greg worked for Bane Williams Men’s Clothing Store, sold insurance, was sales director for Boyer Construction, sold ads for La Cañada Valley Sun and, eventually, director of sales for the Outlook Newspaper Group for nearly 20 years.
We loved Greg for his kindness, generosity and humor. He never spoke ill of anyone. Greg was a Big Guy. A Big Friend. And he had a Big Heart. We will miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be greatly appreciated.
