Name: Visitation for Gregory L. WILMES
Start: 2017-09-19T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-09-20T01:00:00.000Z
Location: O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral and Cremation Services - St. Paul

May 10, 1955 ~ September 10, 2017 Greg Wilmes, 62, of St. Paul, Minnesota passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017 after a quick and courageous battle with lung cancer. He was a lawyer, and since 2004 Vice President, Portfolio Management for North Central Equity LLC, a privately held Minnesota-based holding company that owns several businesses. Greg held a Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell School of Law (Magna Cum Laude) and a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Mankato State University (Summa Cum Laude). Greg had an adventurous spirit and helped start a telephone company in Madrid, Spain in 1999. Greg clerked for the Honorable Judge Paul Magnuson (federal court) and started the social group Lake Elmo Federal Bar Association (LEFBA) that still meets and celebrates each year. He also clerked for United States Magistrates Floyd Boline and J. Earl Cudd. Greg practiced law in state and federal courts, as well as before the NASD and NYSE. He co-founded Briol & Wilmes, a law firm in Minneapolis that specialized in securities litigation. Greg was known to grow giant pumpkins and formed the Giant Urban Pumpkin Growers Association (GUPGA) that hosted weigh-offs for multi-hundred pound pumpkins. Greg was a husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. Many knew him to be quick with humor and wit and possess a keen intellect. He was an eloquent writer and loved to debate. Greg enjoyed travelling with his family, reading science and history books, and tending to his gardens and orchards in St. Paul where he grew peaches, grapes, and various types of berries. His travels with wife Maggie took him to many places including Morocco, Australia, and train excursions in the Swiss Alps. He was a creative chef who cooked "dump dinners" and other esoteric meals. Greg's greatest joy was his three children: Ethan, Josephine and Alexander. The love he had for them is immeasurable and goes to eternity. Greg is survived by his wife Magdalena (Maggie) O'Reilly; his children Ethan, Josephine and Alexander; his father Richard Paul Wilmes; his brothers Paul (DeAnn), Kenny (Linda); his sisters Susan (Ed), Peggy (Chris), and Jessica (Antonio); and many nieces and nephews. Greg was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Wilmes. Visitation 4-8pm Tuesday, September 19 at O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home, 575 Snelling Avenue South, St. Paul and 10am on Wednesday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Funeral Service 11:00am Wednesday, September 20 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1079 Summit Avenue. Private burial. Memorials preferred to Virginia Piper Cancer Institute and Higher Ground Homeless Shelter in Saint Paul. 651-698-0796

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Published by Pioneer Press from Sep. 12 to Sep. 15, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory WILMES

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

8 Entries

carole dossavi

September 6, 2020

Already 3 years, but to me, it seems like yesterday. Greg is not somebody that you can forget even if you only knew him for a week. I have a tiny spoon that he game me with one of his bake goods, I have it where I can see it everyday. Every summer when the squirrels steal all of my hazelnuts from my bushes, I think of him and smile. I have too many stories to tell, he was that remarkable.
Greg Wilmes is forever unforgettable.

carole dossavi

October 15, 2017

To you Mr. Wilmes

Verdell Borth

September 22, 2017

Greg was a friend since our days together in the federal court when I was clerk to Magistrate-Judge J. Earl Cudd and Greg was clerk with Magistrate-Judge Boline. Greg was always so kind as to take care I received an invitations to the reunion of the magistrates clerks even after Magistrate Cudd was gone. Greg was a dear friend who will be missed. It is a sad day to learn about his death.
Thanks! Verdell Borth

Sheila Scott

September 21, 2017

Dear Maggie and family

I am deeply saddened to hear about Greg's passing. He was a very interesting , fun and very caring person. A lot of quirky but fun habits and activities.

My father, George M Scott, former Minnesota associate Justice, said Greg was one of the smartest guys he's ever known.

I'm so glad that he kept getting us together every couple years for the Minnesota Federal Magistrates Bar Association. I hope we can continue that in his honor.

Oraciones para la família. Hasta luego amigo. Qué Díos te bendiga.

Marcia Brosnan

September 20, 2017

My condolences to Greg's family, especially Paul, a classmate of mine. My brother Brian let me know. Our whole family (12) attended Loyola, and we consider the loss of any alumnus, a family loss. He's gone too soon.

carole dossvi

September 19, 2017

My heart is very heavy tonight. Greg was so kind, extremely respectful, the most thoughtful, smart, and generous individual everyone hopes to encounter in their lifetime. Greg shared his cooking, his kind words, hid garden, including his family whenever he had a minute to share. Greg even help me with school work when asked him questions.

Saying that I will miss Greg is under statement, I look forward to seeing him 4 days a week for about 3 years now. I can only imagine what his beautiful family is going through in these sad and dark days. My deepest condolences go to the family.

I will miss the small coffees and pastries he brings me with his sayings "its good to be here"

I will never forget you Greg...until we meet again.
My prayers are with the Wilmes family.

Marc Simpson

September 19, 2017

I will greatly miss Greg's wit and smile. He is a kind and gentle soul.

I loved discussing legal issues with Greg, and listening to him talk about his gardens...his belief in hard work with his hands and sharing the fruits of his labor. He was a knowledgeable lawyer and political philosopher. Always careful, thorough and respectful of his friends and colleagues. A wise, generous and lovely man.

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