Gregory Branch
January 18, 1957 - February 09, 2019
Obituary
Saginaw has lost one of its staunchest advocates and hundreds of people have lost a friend, colleague, mentor and occasional antagonist.
Gregory Lynn Branch, age 62, of Saginaw, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
A beloved husband, father, son and brother, Greg was born in Saginaw on January 18, 1957, to Robert J. and Lynne Ann (née Foglesong) Branch. He lived within a mile of his birthplace his entire life.
He married Ann Schneider on September 30, 1995. She survives him.
Greg was a devoted and proud father to his three children, Grace, Samuel and Benjamin Branch. He is also survived by his mother, Lynne Ann Branch; siblings, Karen (John) Kujawa and Scott (Julie) Branch; siblings-in-law, Mary Schneider, Thomas (Denise) Schneider and William (Heidi) Schneider. He also leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert J. Branch; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Aloysius and Louise Schneider; and a nephew.
For more than 40 years, Greg created and shaped memorable and lasting messages, stories and brand strategies for thousands of businesses, campaigns, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. A gifted communicator, Greg spent more than 20 years with Princing & Ewend, where he and Ann met, before that agency merged with AMPM, Inc. in Midland, where he enjoyed the last eight years.
In his trademark vest and pocket watch, Greg served on the Saginaw City Council from 2005 until 2013. In 2009 Branch's council colleagues elected him to serve as the city's mayor, a post he held for four years.
Greg also lent his expertise to several civic and professional organizations including the American Advertising Federation (local, district and national levels) and the boards of Child & Family Services of Saginaw County, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, MBS Airport Authority and Hidden Harvest.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 15, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602.
Visitation will continue Saturday, February 16, 2019, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 123 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602, from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials in honor of Greg may be made to a community organization, Saginaw Valley State University, Delta College or another charity of your choice.
For information, please call (989) 755-8277. For online condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
Gregory Lynn Branch, age 62, of Saginaw, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
A beloved husband, father, son and brother, Greg was born in Saginaw on January 18, 1957, to Robert J. and Lynne Ann (née Foglesong) Branch. He lived within a mile of his birthplace his entire life.
He married Ann Schneider on September 30, 1995. She survives him.
Greg was a devoted and proud father to his three children, Grace, Samuel and Benjamin Branch. He is also survived by his mother, Lynne Ann Branch; siblings, Karen (John) Kujawa and Scott (Julie) Branch; siblings-in-law, Mary Schneider, Thomas (Denise) Schneider and William (Heidi) Schneider. He also leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert J. Branch; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Aloysius and Louise Schneider; and a nephew.
For more than 40 years, Greg created and shaped memorable and lasting messages, stories and brand strategies for thousands of businesses, campaigns, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. A gifted communicator, Greg spent more than 20 years with Princing & Ewend, where he and Ann met, before that agency merged with AMPM, Inc. in Midland, where he enjoyed the last eight years.
In his trademark vest and pocket watch, Greg served on the Saginaw City Council from 2005 until 2013. In 2009 Branch's council colleagues elected him to serve as the city's mayor, a post he held for four years.
Greg also lent his expertise to several civic and professional organizations including the American Advertising Federation (local, district and national levels) and the boards of Child & Family Services of Saginaw County, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, MBS Airport Authority and Hidden Harvest.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 15, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602.
Visitation will continue Saturday, February 16, 2019, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 123 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602, from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials in honor of Greg may be made to a community organization, Saginaw Valley State University, Delta College or another charity of your choice.
For information, please call (989) 755-8277. For online condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
VL
Vicky Latham
Other •
Lynne Ann, Mark and I were so very sorry to hear about Greg's death.We can't be there with you, but we are sending our prayers and love at this very difficult time
Mark & Vicky Latham
JD
Jean Davis
Other •
Lynne, even though we met several years ago and saw each other occasionally, it wasn't until a week before Greg passed that I knew your name. All those years I knew you as Greg's mom. I'm so sorry. I can't begin to know your pain, but know that you are in my heart and thoughts during this terrible time.
PS
Patti Steinman
Other •
To my 2003 Leadership Saginaw guiding light:
You knew everything about our City. TY
You shared your knowledge and laughter. TY
You then became a terrific Mayor. TY
We remained friends from SVSU days until a few days ago. TY
From the bottom of my heart, your talent cannot be replaced. Never ever! God's praise to all of your families. Godspeed to one of this City of Saginaw's finest people. Heartbroken
DG
Daniel Chaparro, AAF District 2 Governor
Other •
On behalf of the AAF District Two Executive Committee, I'd like to extend our deepest sympathies to Ann Branch their 3 children. May the lord guide you and comfort your hearts during this time.
Sincerely,
Daniel Chaparro
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AAF District Two
Daniel Chaparro, Governor
Greg Kihlström, Lieutenant Governor
Doreen Defabio Duska, Immediate Past Governor
Carol Montoya, Treasurer
Julia Urich, Communications Secretary
Jamie Hannigan, Recording Secretary
Evie DeSarno, American Advertising Awards Co-Chairperson
Matt Hildebrand, American Advertising Awards Co-Chairperson
Judy Markoe, NSAC Chairperson
https://mailchi.mp/58557d72c4f8/in-memoriam-greg-branch-2873709
PR
Paula, Josh and Russell
Other •
Paula, Josh and Russell purchased the Country Basket Blooms for the family of Gregory "Greg" Lynn Branch.
HD
Harry Dukas
Other •
Greg and I were very good friends growing up in Saginaw on Avon st. we played touch football and i helped him clean out the Chinchilla cages before we could play on Avon St. in front of his house. We played football together in 9th grade at North Intermediate, and also played hockey our senior year at Arthur Hill. Greg was the instrumental person responsible for organizing the very first year of the Saginaw Valley High School Hockey League, he went to every school in the Saginaw Valley, and got them to field a team. Which in my eyes was a remarkable feat! Greg Will be sorely missed. When i was in the US Navy we Saluted our friends who had passed by saying " Fair Winds And Following Seas to You My Friend," and I am also wishing Greg "Fair Winds And Following Seas My Friend"! My wife Michele and I want to Extend our deepest Sympathies to Ann and Family. May the Lord be with you all.