Gregory Green, 62, visual artist and performer
He was an outstanding cook and loved to entertain.
GREGORY GREEN'S artistic vision might have been a little off-the-wall, but then what is art anyway?
He produced a piece called "Pipe Bomb #6," consisting of pipes, battery, timer wires and instructions. It was offered for sale by Freeman's Auction in 2008.
Was it art? Who knows? Did anybody buy it? The question might also have been if this was "Pipe Bomb #6," where were the other five?
These are questions that probably only Gregory Green could have answered, and it's unlikely he would have. Some artistic endeavors must remain tucked away in the artist's creative consciousness.
Anyway, Gregory would have gotten a kick out of any speculation about his work. He was a man with a rich sense of fun, that manifested in multiple ways in his eventful life.
Gregory Green, an artist, actor and musician, gourmet cook and host who loved to entertain, and a devoted family man, died May 6 of complications of a heart condition and diabetes. He was 62 and lived in Olney.
"Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and meeting Gregory Green knows that he embodied the words 'gregarious' and 'fun,' " his brother, Stephen, wrote in a tribute.
"With his dynamic and effervescent personality, he always had the charisma needed to capture a room, audience, party or any situation."
Stephen said his brother was an "amazing visual artist. In art and music projects, he often led with his visionary imagination and spirit. He was a master of conceptualization."
Gregory was active on local stages, both as an actor and behind the scenes. He performed in plays and lit shows for the First World Theatre Ensemble and Freedom Theater. He even did a little Shakespeare, his brother said.
Gregory also did the lighting for performances of his brother's band, Breakwater. It played locally and cut some records.
To keep body and soul together, Gregory worked at local restaurants as a cook and waiter. Whatever paid the bills.
Gregory was born in North Philadelphia to James and Blanche Green. He attended Edison High School.
He married "the love of his life," Gladys Crespo, on Nov. 14, 1980.
Gregory was a passionate fan of local sports teams, especially the Eagles. "Green was more than his last name," his brother said. "It was also the color that he proudly wore to represent the Eagles."
Gregory was an outstanding cook, who not only lent his talents to local restaurants, but also enjoyed cooking for family and friends.
"His loyalty to his family was unshakable, and he was known throughout his family as the protector," his brother said.
"He was a loyal friend. If you were a friend of Gregory, he valued and protected you."
Besides his wife and brother, he is survived by a son, Gregory Jr.; a daughter, Jasmin; his father, James; another brother, James; a sister, Kim; and seven grandchildren.
Services: Memorial service noon Monday at Cedar Park Presbyterian Church, 7740 Limekiln Pike.