Gregory Phillip Sparks passed away at 3:16pm on January 19, 2016, at home in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by friends and family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born the third of five children of Margaret ‘Pegg’ and the late Charles ‘Chuck’ Sparks. At the age of 56, he was far too young, and will be missed deeply by many.

 

Greg was a true renaissance man. He was an avid potter and beekeeper, the former of which he had been practicing since his college days. He enjoyed sharing his pottery and the honey from his bees with friends and family. A talented musician, Greg played guitar and sang at many weddings and funerals over the years. In conjunction with a Jesuit priest, he started the Contemplative Mass at St. Ignatius Catholic church nearly 15 years ago. In addition to the guitar, Greg also played the banjo and mandolin, much to his mother’s delight. Greg most enjoyed spending time with his beautiful wife and wonderful children, and tending to the numerous birds in his yard that came to eat at the many feeders. His favorites were the hummingbirds.   

 

Greg had connections to, and friendships with, people from all aspects of his life. From his coworkers at the Port of Portland where he worked for 23 years, to St. Ignatius school and parish families, to his and Jane’s small church community of 27 years, neighbors, other potters, musicians, and beekeepers, Greg touched many lives. His mantra for getting through his cancer journey was “just keep moving.” He embodied that more fully than anyone could have imagined when he walked over 100 miles in the hospital during his first chemo treatments. He viewed his cancer experience as a journey, and one to be walked with friends and family. When he wasn’t able to walk quite so far as the treatments went on, over 50 family members and friends walked in Greg’s honor at the Portland Light the Night Walk in October. Greg’s faith was also incredibly important to him, and he had a dream of someday completing the Camino de Santiago in Spain, with Jane.       

Greg was preceded in death by his father, Charles H. Sparks, and stepfather, Evans McLean. He leaves behind his deeply loved wife, soulmate, and best friend, Jane; three children, Kailey (26), Garrett (23), and Luke (17); mother, Pegg; brother, Chuck; sisters, Becky, Jill, and Molly; and many nieces and nephews; all of whom will miss him more than words can say.

 

A funeral Mass in celebration of Greg’s life will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic church in southeast Portland, on Wednesday, January 27th, at 9am with a reception to follow in the parish hall. A rosary will be offered before the funeral at 8:30am. Donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Greg’s honor or to a GoFundMe account set up to assist with funding Luke’s college.

Greg Sparks

- Born August 26th, 1959

- Sadly left us on January 19th, 2016.

- Beloved father, husband, brother, son, musician, beekeeper, potter, friend

​

Service Information

- Location: St Ignatius Church

- Address: 3400 SE 43rd Ave, Portland, OR 97206

- Date: Jan 27, 2016, 9AM