Gary Conn Wennerberg
January 07, 1949 - May 12, 2015
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Gary Conn Wennerberg
January 07, 1949 - May 12, 2015
Obituary
Gary C. Wennerberg, 66, of Mission Viejo, CA, beloved husband, father, brother, and Popi, passed away May 12, 2015 at his home with his family by his side. He fought a brave battle with liver cancer for 2 years and was awaiting a liver transplant at UCSD, but became too ill to receive one. He was born on January 7, 1949 in Pasadena, CA to John T. Wennerberg and Barbara Jean Conn.
Gary grew up in Covina, CA. He graduated from South Hills High School where he excelled in swimming. He served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam 1968 – 1971 as a jet aircraft mechanic in Chu Lai and Danang. Being a child of the 60’s, he wandered a bit, climbed many a tall tree while working for a tree service, but settled into a career with United Parcel Service where he made many friends and was affectionately known as the old man. He retired in 2003 after a battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After beating Lymphoma, in his retirement, he worked at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Course. He enjoyed his family, grandchildren, playing his guitar, singing, writing, surfing, hiking and golf. He also enjoyed his solitude. He was a good friend of Bill W.
Gary is survived by his wife of 40 years, Merry; daughter Sarah (James); son Daniel (Marissa); grandchildren, Natalie, Gabriel, Ian and Dylan; 3 brothers and 1 sister; many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to his brother Joe and nephew and niece Morgan and Mika, who were with us for his end. He will be forever missed by everyone who knew him.
His celebration of life will be Saturday, May 23rd, at Mission Viejo Christian Church at 11:30 AM.
A special thank you to Dr. Tarek Hassanein and Dr. L. Stuart Nagasawa as well as Companion Hospice who were invaluable in their help.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the American Liver Foundation, www.liverfoundation.org.
4 responses to Gary Conn Wennerberg
Bonnie Pacheco says:
May 19, 2015
Lit a candle in memory of Gary Conn Wennerberg
Joseph D. Aramburu says:
May 22, 2015
Am sorry to hear of Gary’s death. We were friends who enjoyed getting together on
Saturday mornings for some coffee and laughs. He was a good man and will be missed.
Joseph D. Aramburu
Paul & Brenda Le Chevalier says:
May 22, 2015
There are so many things about Gary to love , he always had a smile for everyone, was good natured and easy to talk to.
Playing golf with him, or watching the grandkids play sports or dance, time with Gary was always time well spent. The last time we played golf with Gary was in Palm Springs we had a lot of laughs together over the lies he told catching up with him.
We so enjoyed sharing family events with Gary and Merry, they always joined in the games and shared funny stories.
He was a great father, grandfather and friend,James could not have asked for a better father in law and he was part of our family.
Gary we love and miss you and will hold you forever in our hearts.
Love Paul & Brenda
xoxoxo
Larry says:
May 25, 2015
Gary would see each other every Tuesday night, when we lived in RSM. We share in common the love of our new found spiritual life and watched life unfold into the most beautiful gift before our eyes and in our hearts. Gary enjoyed sharing of the pleasure and profound LOVE of his wife, family and grandchildren. I have had the pleasure to walk with Gary, talk with Gary and surf with Gary and he was one of the most caring, loving, and spiritual men I have had the pleasure to know. To my friend I will pray….ride heavens waves with your Higher Power, we shall see you on our final surf trip to heaven.
All our prayers and thoughts with the entire Wennerberg family. From Larry and Vicky Sciblo