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Gary Encinas Obituary
June 8, 1949 - May 23, 2015
Gary P. Encinas, retired PG&E corporate attorney, long-time East Bay resident,and supporter of wide-ranging Bay Area cultural organizations, died May 23 at his Oakland home after a lengthy battle with cancer. In addition to his husband, James W. Wright, Gary leaves behind his mother, Arduina Smith (nee Donati), his stepfather, Bill Smith, and his half-brother, Charles A. Smith. Gary's father, Angelo M. Encinas, predeceased him in 2011.
Born June 8, 1949 in Madera, California, Gary attended Richmond High School and graduated in 1967 from Sierra High School in Tollhouse. He attended the University of California, Berkeley from 1967-1970, and graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago in1972, with a B.S. degree in Anthropology.
In 1975, Gary graduated from Harvard Law School and returned to the Bay Area where he worked as an associate attorney at Lillick, McHose & Charles. In 1977, he began a long and productive career in the legal departments of PG&E Company and PG&E Corporation.
Gary was PG&E Corporation's Chief Counsel, Corporate Law Department, when he retired in 2008. He was instrumental in steering PG&E through the bankruptcy case precipitated by the 2000-2001 energy crisis. He was a treasured and valued colleague to many at PG&E.
Gary was a longstanding supporter of the San Francisco Opera and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. He studied harpsichord and Italian, and was a talented cook and generous host.
Along with his husband, Jim, Gary traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. He made new and lasting friends wherever he went. Gary was magnetic and had an audacious, playful sense of humor that put people at ease. Dapper, deeply kind and cultured, Gary left a measurable, lasting impact on his many friends and his family.
A memorial service is scheduled for June 28, 2015 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Bellevue Club, 525 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, 94610. Donations in memory of Gary may be made to the Horizons Foundation, www.horizonsfoundation.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Encinas
3 Entries
Jessica Evans
June 11, 2015
I am so saddened by Gary's passing. I have known and loved Gary and Jim for a long time. They never failed to delight me and I would love hearing about their travels- the places they had been and were going to. I would picture them in exotic lands, lounging about enjoying island cocktails looking ever so handsome in their fabulous footwear. And I know about their footwear because I am not only their friend and pianist, but also their Shoeshine girl. I run the Shine Parlour at One Market Plaza which is where I first met Gary. My heart is heavy and my prayers are with you Jim, and family. I carry you both around in my heart. I always will. Thank you for enriching my life. Love always.
Diane Steel
June 9, 2015
Sending our condolences from San Joaquin College of Law, Diane Steel, Director of Admissions.
May 31, 2015
So sad to go so young and even sadder that I didn't make an effort to reconnect after so many years. Have been living in New Zealand for over 30 years and rarely get to the bay area. Grew up with Gary in Richmond and attended school with him for most of our time in Richmond. Knew his mum, step dad and brother. We lived together Iin high school and most of our time at UCB. Have probaly seen him a handful of times since then but we were so close for so manyof of ourformative years. DDespite years of separation, we shared a love of both opera and baroque music. Two of our children are struggling classical musicians. Nothing but the funniest and most loving memories of our young years together. Amazing. Wouldn't have traded it for anything. An amzing oart of my early life which was both interesting and sometimes challenging. Certainly much love and condolences to his husband. Judy Forbes
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