Gregory Ohanneson Obituary

Gregory Ohanneson
Dec. 17, 1929 - March 14, 2017
San Francisco
Greg Ohanneson passed away on March 14 with family members present. Cause of death was complications from Parkinson's Disease.
Greg earned his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. He was a Lieutenant (junior grade) in the Navy and served on a destroyer in the Pacific during the Korean War.
Greg farmed in the San Joaquin Valley for twelve years before getting his Masters at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his PhD. at UCLA.
Greg then became Dean of Vocational Education for Santa Clara County colleges for 25 years.
After retiring, Greg was active in his retirement community, serving many terms on the finance committee and advocating tirelessly for residents rights for seniors in assisted living facilities.
An avid hiker, Greg climbed Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney (twice). He loved California literature and history, especially of San Francisco, and was a member of the fraternal historical society E Clampus Vitus (Yerba Buena #1)
Married 57 years to his late wife, the writer Joan Delmonico Ohanneson, he is survived by his daughters Kim, Beth, Jill and Erin, their partners, his five grandchildren, and his first cousin Mary (Bebe) Anderson and her husband Dave of Shafter, CA.


View the online memorial for Gregory Ohanneson

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Apr. 14, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Ohanneson

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

Not sure what to say?





6 Entries

So hard to believe it's been six years. I still remember my time working at SJCC with you being our Division Dean, and my boss. Our Division was grateful to have you. Thinking of you and family today. Mary Kreibich

Mary J Kreibich

Work

April 6, 2023

Dear Kim, Beth, Jill and Erin,

Please accept my deepest condolences on the death of your dear father--and also your dear mom. I decided to Google Joan's name because I think of her once in awhile-and was saddened to read of her death several years ago. She taught me a lot about religion when I was a rookie priest (now married with two children). We had many splendid conversations. I was glad to have met your dad when we shared a meal and saw The Wiz in S.F. Beth, I remember your visit to New Orleans when your mom was doing a speaking event.
Know that I cherish the memories and pray for all of your families, that God will provide you with much joy and happiness as you miss these two wonderful people.
Gary Ault of the Dameans.

Gary Ault

July 4, 2017

Greg was my Dean and immediate supervisor at San Jose City College. I was a Network Technician and it was such a pleasure to work with Greg as we tried out best to keep the Applied Sciences Division stay up to date as far as Technology was concerned. I will always remember him fondly. My condolences to his family.

Bruce Geer

April 17, 2017

I just learned that Greg passed away. I was an Administrative Assistant for the Applied Science Division at SJCC. Greg was my Dean / Boss for several years. He was kind, helpful; a professional gentleman to work with - and fun.

I saw him last at my own retirement. He will be missed by many.

Sending my condolences & thoughts to his family.

Mary Kreibich

April 17, 2017

As a long term (25 year) dean and administrator for the adjacent West Valley-Mission Community College District, I had the fortune of working closely with Greg for many years.

Greg helped me organize the Santa Clara County Community College Consortium for GAIN (now called CalWORKs); supported our efforts to seek and obtain many millions of dollars via several state, local, and federal grants; and was active at both regional and statewide vocational education leadership groups. These programs helped many thousands of students and others throughout the region, and are mostly still in place today.

He was always a kind, smart, and conscientious professional.

Not many college administrators manage to stay in their jobs more than several years, but Greg not only survived, he thrived at SJCC for decades.
He will be very much missed by many people.

Dr. Fred Prochaska

April 16, 2017

Kim, Beth, Jill, and Erin, thank you for inviting me to your beloved dad's Memorial Service. It was very obvious that you loved your dad very much. Your mom and dad are together again. They loved each other very much. I am deeply grateful to God for allowing me to be part of their lives.
May God continue to console you all.
Lovingly,
Sr. Esther.

Sr. Esther McEgan, RSM

April 13, 2017

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Make a Donation
in Gregory Ohanneson's name

Memorial Events
for Gregory Ohanneson

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Gregory's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Gregory Ohanneson's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more