GREG NOBREGA

1958 - 2017

Greg Nobrega - our beloved father, brother, uncle, and friend - died on April 3, 2017, while visiting his favorite place on the planet, the gulf coast of Florida. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Christ Community Church, 14200 Kenneth Road, Leawood, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to K9s for Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081 https://www.k9sforwarriors.org. Greg was born March 21, 1958, the fourth of seven children born to Frank & Dorothy Nobrega. Growing up in Leawood, he graduated from Shawnee Mission South in 1976 and then became a proud, Kansas State Wildcat. A natural athlete, Greg excelled at many sports - including football, basketball, and rugby. Greg spent his career working for the company his grandfather founded in 1925 - Central Solutions, Inc. During his 40 year career, he had the privilege (and challenge) of working in sales not only with his grandfather, but also his dad. Greg was proud of the fact he subsequently worked with his siblings for so many years, occasionally commenting, "We're defying the odds - five brothers and a nephew, and we haven't killed each other yet!" Greg loved the outdoors, and especially water. Be it trout fishing in the rivers of southern Missouri, cruising through the Gulf of Mexico, or being near the water was immensely satisfying for Greg. He could dock any boat, in any weather conditions, day or night. He would sit for hours on the beach, staring at the clear, blue waves. It was simply in his blood. Yet as much satisfaction as work and play gave him, the biggest joys in Greg's life were his kids - daughter Rachel and son Henry. A doting father, Greg treasured his date nights with Rachel, and loved coaching Henry's various sports teams for so many years. Nothing filled Greg's soul more than being with his kids. He was proud of their accomplishments and successes, yet most proud of their personal and professional integrity and character. Every good thing he did, he did with them at the forefront of his mind and heart. Greg was a man of many gifts - thoughtful, intuitive, and compassionate. Yet his most impactful gift was his natural ability to love deeply and connect with others at a core level. Whenever someone spent time with Greg, they felt seen and known. He saw the authentic person behind the social mask - the person wanting to connect, the person wanting to be loved. He saw them, and he loved them. We know of no gift more profound and impactful than this. Greg believed that the quality of our life was directly linked to our attitude, often telling his kids not to 'have' a good day, but to MAKE it a GREAT day. He believed living in the moment was fundamental to finding contentment in life, and would often send notes or texts to loved ones with a thought of the day - sometimes a prayer of the day. While he knew living in the moment was often easier said than done, he never backed down from his convictions. And he never stopped loving deeply. Greg leaves behind his daughter Rachel Adams (Blake), his son Henry Nobrega, his siblings Mike Nobrega (Diane), Mark Nobrega (Teresa), Mary Nobrega Tyler (Tom), Paul Nobrega (Beverly), and Chris Nobrega, numerous nieces and nephews, and a list of friends a mile long. It is not possible to come up with words to describe our sense of loss. It is so devastating on so many levels. Yet while our world will never be the same, we do feel immense gratitude to have had such a loving father, sibling, uncle, and friend for as long as we did. We will always miss him, and we will always love him. Now, then everyone - go MAKE it a great day.