Gregory "Greg" Lynn Branch

January 18, 1957 - February 9, 2019

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.