Greg passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the age of 70.
Greg was raised in Whitefish Bay and returned to live there with his wife of 35 years, Elizabeth Bedwell. He attended and played basketball at St Monica Grade School, Whitefish Bay High School and Ripon College. He spent one year at Monzano High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico and during which time he developed a fondness for the desert southwest.
Greg coached basketball for 47 years, beginning with the Green Lake high school boys’ team. He subsequently coached UW-Milwaukee men’s team, Dominican high school boys, St Monica grade school girls, Whitefish Bay high school girls, Pius high school girls, and Grafton high school girls. In addition to coaching, he also served as a high school social studies teacher, high school administrator, fitness instructor and personal trainer, and Catholic confirmation instructor.
He began each day with prayer, reflection, and an ambitious to-do list to ensure he was always moving forward! He was devoted to health and wellness his entire life and was known for his infectious enthusiasm and ability to inspire and motivate anyone of any age toward achieving their goals. He cared deeply about every single person he coached or trained, and it brought him great joy to encourage and observe their progress.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, mother Dorothy, siblings Paul (Margaret), Tim, Barbara Clements (Joe), Mary Shaw (Jim), Janet Martinez-Ortiz (Gabriel), John (Lisa), Julie Azmani and Peter (Becky), brothers-in-law Mark Bedwell (Cheryl), Michael Bedwell (Linda) and David Bedwell (Heidi), as well as an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
We are grateful for the compassionate care of Drs. Nand, Schulz, Hamadani and Lawlis Family hospice. Greg was appreciative of the many health care workers who brought light to his days!
Visitation will be held at Schmidt Bartelt Funeral Home, 10280 N. Port Washington Road in Mequon on Thursday, January 23 from 4-7 pm. Greg’s life will be celebrated at St Monica Catholic Church, 5681 N. Santa Monica Blvd. in Whitefish Bay on Saturday January 25, beginning with eulogies at 10:45 am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. No visitation is planned on Saturday prior to the start of eulogies but family and friends are invited to a reception at church immediately following Mass. Burial will be private at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to St Francis de Sales Seminary or Just One More Ministry. Please also consider donating a coat and/or sweatshirt to Father Gene’s Help Center.