Greg was born in Racine on November 28, 1950, to the late Sigmund and Edwina (nee: Barela) Orzal. A graduate of St. Stanislaus Grade School, he went on to graduate from St. Catherine’s High School in 1968. Greg continued on to earn his engineering degree from Milwaukee School of Engineering.On March 16, 1974, in Atonement Lutheran Church, Greg was united in marriage with the love of his life, Shelley (nee: Phillips).
Extremely brilliant and mechanically inclined, Greg began his career with Webster Electric. A few years later, Greg and Shelley relocated to upstate New York where he worked for the Raymond Corp. Shortly after, they moved back to Hartford, WI -- where he was employed as an engineer for over 27 years at Wacker Corp., retiring only when his health began to fail.
A dedicated family-man with a profound Catholic faith, Gregory was a proud member of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Downtown Milwaukee. He enjoyed playing Rock-N-Roll and the Blues on his guitars and riding his 1999 Harley Ultra-Classic. Greg also liked to grow Jalapeno Peppers and Tomatoes for his homemade Salsa; was an accomplished and self-taught home repairman; and had an extensive fresh-water fish collection. Above all, Greg loved being at home in the surroundings of his family.
Surviving are his loving wife of nearly 35 years, Shelley; their treasured son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Consuelo Orzal of Fox Point; a grandson; sisters, Sharon McAuliffe of Racine and Susan Chirigotis of Union Grove; Shelley’s parents, Leonard and Theodora Phillips of Crivitz; grandmother, Henrietta Welch of Racine; brothers-in-law, Brian (Diana) Phillips of Campbellsport; Dennis Phillips of West Bend; Tim (Cathy) Phillips of West Bend; and Lindsey (Trish) Phillips of San Antonio, TX; many special nieces, nephews, other relatives, co-workers and friends too numerous to mention by name.
Funeral services celebrating Greg’s life will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at 7 p.m. with Rev. Michael J. Hammer officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Private interment will take place next to his parents in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32, on Thursday. In memory of Greg, memorials may be directed to The Kathy Hospice, in recognition of the compassionate end-of-life care and support that was so graciously provided.
Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
4600 County Line Rd., Racine (262) 552-9000
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