Gregory "Greg"
Todd
Kacy
July 4, 1967 - November 30, 2019
Born in Royal Oak, Michigan
Gregory “Greg” Todd Kacy (July 4, 1967 - November 30, 2019)
On November 30, 2019 at 11:08 a.m., Gregory “Greg” Todd Kacy - a bright example in this world of living with kindness and selflessness - passed away too soon at the age of 52 after a valiant fight against a rare form of cancer. He died surrounded by those he loved so much and at peace with his end. And yet, till the very last day, he took on the burdens of everyone else, worrying about how they’d feel and personally finalizing all the never-ending, tedious details of his death.
That was Greg … a soul built first around sacrifice and empathy. He was rightfully born on the Fourth of July 1967 and was a colorful firecracker from the start. He went to the wall for his two daughters, Griffin Maria Kacy and Maguire (Maggie) Jayne Kacy - a devoted and dedicated father. He was a man who greeted all people with the most genuine and sincere engagement. His magnetic smile and sparkling blue eyes made you want to lean in and laugh along with him. Greg’s quick wit and uncanny knack could conjure a perfectly-timed one-off or recall a quirky movie quote that comically fit the occasion. He lived family to the core - constantly wanting to be surrounded by his blood (whether on vacations, holidays, birthdays or random weekends), and he was constantly finding ways (small and large) to make them aware that he was thinking about them.
The love of his life was Missy Kacy - her gentle spirit connecting with his own relentless positive outlook. She comforted him in his final months, made him laugh, and was with him day-and-night until the end. He was a loving son of Ken Kacy and Barbara Kacy Jensen (late Robert), a dynamic brother to Doug Kacy (Jolene), Marlene Kacy, and Michele Allison (Bob), and a playful, caring uncle to a nephew and four nieces. Naturally, he was a supportive stepdad to Missy’s four kids.
Greg always believed that life was best met head-on and with full enthusiasm. He never let the small things drag him down; instinctively and resiliently positive through it all. He was whip-smart and crafty with his hands. He could figure out the electrical wiring of a light fixture one day, do calculus homework with his daughter on another, and be tying a Coast Guard-grade boat knot somewhere Up North on yet a different one.
That gift of handiwork translated effortlessly to music. Greg had a natural affinity to instruments of all kinds and throughout his youth bounced from cello to keyboards to drums. He was a vocalist as well - being in everything from high school musicals to a barbershop quartet later as an adult.
That was Greg … always searching for a new experience or adventure. He trained for a year and ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon in 2013 as a way to provide water well to a community in Kenya; dedicating each of the grueling 26 miles to a different family member or friend.
He graduated from Bloomfield Lahser High School in 1985 before going on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Human Resources from Central Michigan University where he was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and then a Master's Degree in Education from Wayne State University.
He loved technology and later worked for IBM as a consultant for new systems. Humble and giving, people always came first to Greg, and animals came a very close second. An engineer even as a kid, Greg constructed an elaborate, plastic ‘habitrail’ for his many hamsters, taking over his whole room with the colony. He had fish and, later, dogs that he cared for and loved, cheerfully bringing them over to family members’ houses on a walk.
That was the thing with Greg: he showed up and participated in the world around him. He would be the first to volunteer; the first with a compliment; the first to engage. He loved to ask about other people’s lives and really wanted to understand who they were.
There is a hole left behind by Greg, who passed way too young. This world is just a little less shiny and glittery without him. But, every time we think about that emptiness, Greg undoubtedly would want us to remember to be a bit happier, live more with optimism, and hold tighter onto each other. Because that, was Greg …
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 3 p.m. until a funeral service at 7 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI, 48073 (between 13 and 14 Mile roads)
On November 30, 2019 at 11:08 a.m., Gregory “Greg” Todd Kacy - a bright example in this world of living with kindness and selflessness - passed away too soon at the age of 52 after a valiant fight against a rare form of cancer. He died surrounded by those he loved so much and at peace with his end. And yet, till the very last day, he took on the burdens of everyone else, worrying about how they’d feel and personally finalizing all the never-ending, tedious details of his death.
That was Greg … a soul built first around sacrifice and empathy. He was rightfully born on the Fourth of July 1967 and was a colorful firecracker from the start. He went to the wall for his two daughters, Griffin Maria Kacy and Maguire (Maggie) Jayne Kacy - a devoted and dedicated father. He was a man who greeted all people with the most genuine and sincere engagement. His magnetic smile and sparkling blue eyes made you want to lean in and laugh along with him. Greg’s quick wit and uncanny knack could conjure a perfectly-timed one-off or recall a quirky movie quote that comically fit the occasion. He lived family to the core - constantly wanting to be surrounded by his blood (whether on vacations, holidays, birthdays or random weekends), and he was constantly finding ways (small and large) to make them aware that he was thinking about them.
The love of his life was Missy Kacy - her gentle spirit connecting with his own relentless positive outlook. She comforted him in his final months, made him laugh, and was with him day-and-night until the end. He was a loving son of Ken Kacy and Barbara Kacy Jensen (late Robert), a dynamic brother to Doug Kacy (Jolene), Marlene Kacy, and Michele Allison (Bob), and a playful, caring uncle to a nephew and four nieces. Naturally, he was a supportive stepdad to Missy’s four kids.
Greg always believed that life was best met head-on and with full enthusiasm. He never let the small things drag him down; instinctively and resiliently positive through it all. He was whip-smart and crafty with his hands. He could figure out the electrical wiring of a light fixture one day, do calculus homework with his daughter on another, and be tying a Coast Guard-grade boat knot somewhere Up North on yet a different one.
That gift of handiwork translated effortlessly to music. Greg had a natural affinity to instruments of all kinds and throughout his youth bounced from cello to keyboards to drums. He was a vocalist as well - being in everything from high school musicals to a barbershop quartet later as an adult.
That was Greg … always searching for a new experience or adventure. He trained for a year and ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon in 2013 as a way to provide water well to a community in Kenya; dedicating each of the grueling 26 miles to a different family member or friend.
He graduated from Bloomfield Lahser High School in 1985 before going on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Human Resources from Central Michigan University where he was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and then a Master's Degree in Education from Wayne State University.
He loved technology and later worked for IBM as a consultant for new systems. Humble and giving, people always came first to Greg, and animals came a very close second. An engineer even as a kid, Greg constructed an elaborate, plastic ‘habitrail’ for his many hamsters, taking over his whole room with the colony. He had fish and, later, dogs that he cared for and loved, cheerfully bringing them over to family members’ houses on a walk.
That was the thing with Greg: he showed up and participated in the world around him. He would be the first to volunteer; the first with a compliment; the first to engage. He loved to ask about other people’s lives and really wanted to understand who they were.
There is a hole left behind by Greg, who passed way too young. This world is just a little less shiny and glittery without him. But, every time we think about that emptiness, Greg undoubtedly would want us to remember to be a bit happier, live more with optimism, and hold tighter onto each other. Because that, was Greg …
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 3 p.m. until a funeral service at 7 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI, 48073 (between 13 and 14 Mile roads)
Visitation
A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel)
32515 Woodward Ave (btwn 13-14 Mile)
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
Service
A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel)
32515 Woodward Ave (btwn 13-14 Mile)
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
