Ignacio Griego's Obituary
The Obituary
We celebrate the life of Ignacio Griego, who was born October 5, 1953 and passed away at the age of 68 on December 11, 2021. Ignacio grew up in Oakland, California with his parents, Raymond and Corrine, and his siblings: Harold, Diane, Irene, Rose, Bernard, and Raymond (Davey).
Ignacio attended Lafayette Elementary, Westlake Jr. High, Oakland Technical High School, Merritt College, and SF State. As a young man, Ignacio played on the basketball team with his friend and future brother-in-law Derrick Lee. Ignacio met his future wife Grace in the 7th grade at Westlake Junior High School, started dating in college, and later married in 1976 when they were 22 years old. They raised their two sons, Ignacio (Jr.) and Kevin, in Castro Valley. Ignacio served as a great role model for his sons and created many amazing memories with his family. He enjoyed watching Warriors, A’s, Raiders, and 49ers games, coaching Little League, and watching his sons participate in various sports. He exhibited intelligence, strength, stability, honesty, humor, and honor, and instilled the importance of loving one’s family and planted the important seed to love and trust in God.
Ignacio spent the bulk of his professional years with Harley Mills, as a printer at H.R. Mills Company, a business he would later take over upon Harley’s retirement. He worked hard at the shop to provide for his family. He would balance his work days out by going to the YMCA, where he made many friends in aerobics and spin classes and playing racquetball. Ignacio also was very successful with his shop garden, growing tomatoes, squash varietals, and huge pumpkins. Even after retiring, he loved to go to the shop and spend time with Kevin and his wife, Liane.
Ignacio loved hunting, fishing, and camping. Since childhood there were many memorable trips with the Griego, Codiroli, and Casini families. Ignacio also enjoyed going on cruises and trips with Grace, Chris, Sherwin, Fawn, and Bing. The Griego and Lee family gatherings were always something to be cherished, especially around Thanksgiving time when he would prepare his famous smoked turkey on the barbecue.
While his spirits remained high, unfortunately Ignacio’s lungs weakened towards the end of his life. Ignacio spent his last days at UCSF with Grace diligently at his side each day. He was able to see his sons one last time shortly before passing on to be with our Father in heaven. Ignacio’s memory and positive character traits will live on in his wife Grace, his sons Kevin and Ignacio (Jr.), daughter-in laws Liane and Grace (Jr.), and four grandchildren: Arianna, Gabriel, Jaxon, and Jayden.
While we will all miss Ignacio dearly, we can feel blessed with all the memories that we shared with him, and rest assured that Ignacio is now joyful and at peace with his Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven.
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