April 17, 2010 -  A six year memorial.  We remembered Greg with friends and family.  First  Father Darko officiated a graveside prayer service at the cemetery.  It is a wonderful feeling to all be there together during the memorial blessings. Afterward we gathered at our home for  a barbecue of Greg's favorite foods....brats, burgers, grilled chicken and marshmallow salad!  We watched Annie and Kris' video montage of Greg and also a  Marching Illini comic video sent to us by John and Alyssa. Thank you to everyone for spending the day with us,  and for your phone calls, cards and prayers.  May his memory be eternal.

November 14, 2009 - The University of Illinois Marching Illini  used the GSV Memorial Funds to arrange the music for the half-time show during the Illinois /Northwestern football game. It was a beautifully sunny day.  Milt and I sat in the band section and had guest VIP passes to go directly on the field. Very nice!  This year's music was a tribute to the boy bands of the 90's.  hmmmmm  
I wonder what Greg would think about that!  Band director Pete Griffin wrote us a note in the fall and added "We keep his picture on our outer office working board. Everytime I see that picture I am reminded of what an incredible person he was to so many people." The Vasich Family is so thankful Greg is being remembered and missed by his much loved Marching Illini.

Band 4-11-09 - We were blessed with a beautiful, warm, sunny day for Greg's 5 year memorial. We met graveside at Naperville Cemetery for a prayer service conducted by Fr. Darko.  Many of Greg's friends, relatives, neighbors and family surrounded Greg's grave for the blessing.  Afterward we had a luncheon  at our home. Annie, with the help of Kris, made a photo montage of Greg through the years, which included a great musical track. The whole house laughed and cried together as we enjoyed the memories of Greg's wonderful smile. Thank you to so many for your cards, flowers, hugs, and wonderful array of foods for this remembrance of Greg.  Thank you to Jenny, Katie, Dana, Sue, Annie, Donna, Mary Lee, Mike and Steph,  Iris, Doug, Emily, Nancy, Larry, Tedd, Bruce, Lori, Zach, Debbie, Neal, Kate, Jane, Shirley, Boomer, Ellen, Ellie, Chris C., Jim, Kirk, Don, Maria, Diana, Stevan, Alex, Brana, Gina and Grandma Angelija for spending the day with us, Mike, Molly, Paul,  Chris by speaker phone, and Milt and I. We love and miss Greg more than ever and cherish this opportunity to remember him with his friends and family.

4-5-08 - We  met to remember Greg on the 4th anniversary of his death at Naperville Cemetery.  We had a beautiful memorial service given by Father Darko and his deacon. Many family and friends were gathered; high school and college friends, neighbors and relatives.  Afterward we had a luncheon at our home. We are thankful for all the love that remains for Greg that we see in the hearts of his friends, his brothers and family.

4-14-07 - We paid tribute to Greg and celebrated his life on Saturday with family and friends.  We met at Naperville Cemetery at 2 p.m. where many brought flowers to mark the 3rd year without Greg. Thank you to all who attended and spent the day with us. All of Greg's brothers, Mike, Chris and Paul were there, as were Jenny, Annie, Mary Lee, Katie, Joe, Kris, Mike S., Kay, Kim, Jack, Debbie, Neal, Brana, Vukica, Marko , Rada, Sue, Dana, Nancy, Larry C., Iris, Grandma Vasich, Alex, Jim, Barb, Don , Maria, Stevan, Victor, Jo, Larry S., Bruce, Lori, Zach, Dan,  and Donna. Milt and Carol read a tribute to Greg, followed by comments and memories by  several others. Tribute   Afterwards, we went to our home for a wonderfully grilled meal with a great variety of foods brought by friends. By wonderfully grilled, we mean tremendous handmade brats  made  and shipped to us from Philadelphia by Greg's friends, Chef Drew Spear (www.cryingonion.com)  and Ryan B. We received flowers from Mike and Steph, Annie, Donna, Gail, Grandma Vasich, Aunt Rada, Kay and Jo. We received phone calls and emails from Chad, Sarah, Jersey, Wally, Mike D. and Kathy. We spent the day visiting, looking at pictures, Greg's music collection and  some of his favorite shirts. We are blessed to have so much support in remembering Greg.

Happy 26th Birthday Greg, 2-27-07. It seems like it was yesterday that we lost you, but it seems like forever since we've heard your laugh,  given you a hug or seen that spark of joy in your eyes. On Greg's birthday we received phone calls from his dear friends Jenny, Annie, Steph and Ryan. We received two beautiful orange and blue floral bouquets from Mike and Steph Collins-Dowden. Jenny and Greg's brother Mike went out for dinner in Minneapolis. Steph and Mike  had bacon cheeseburgers in Philly as did we in Naperville. Milt, Carol and Paul shared a hearty meal at Uncle Don and  Aunt Maria's. Stevan and Paul joined us in watching the memorial CD of Greg made by his cousin Kelly.
 
  2/27/04               2/27/04         2/27/85        2/27/04       2/27/00        2/27/04           2/27/98   2/27/98
 

Illini Football Game October 14, 2006 - The University of Illinois Greg Vasich  Memorial provided funds for the musical arrangement of the Marching Illini half-time show on Oct. 14th as U of I played Ohio University. The show featured the music of Bon Jovi.  Milt, Carol and Paul attended the game. Peter Griffin provided us with great tickets for the game as well as a parking permit and passes for the Orange and Blue Alumni tent. We thank Mr. Griffin, the Marching Illini and staff for their support and kindness in remembering our Greg.  A few weeks before the game we received a note from Peter Griffin, the new band director for the Marching Illini.

"I want to let you know about something that happened a couple of weeks ago during our Tuesday night rehearsal in the stadium. It was a cold night with a light mist falling and a wind blowing as well. I was reminded of how Greg always wore shorts to rehearsal regardless of the weather and was always one of the most reliable individuals on the field. I took several minutes to talk about Greg to the entire band and how exceptional he truly was, and is, to all of us who knew him. I dedicated that rehearsal to his memory and it was one of the best we have had all year."   

Thank you Mr. Griffin. It is a blessing that Greg is being honored and remembered by so many people.
 

Greg's two year memorial was held Saturday, April 8, 2006 at Naperville Cemetery. Scheduled for 2 p.m., the actual start time was about 3:15, which gave all gathered lots of time to visit and catch up. Father Dennis' and Father Darko's memorial prayer service was beautiful, touching and uplifting. Thankfully many said it was worth the wait!  It was a nice gathering of family, friends and neighbors. Beautiful flowers from Jenny, Natalie, Aunt Rada, and Grandma Vasich brightened Greg's grave. Thank you all so very much for attending.  John, Tedd, Gail H., Natalie, Jack, Victor, Kay, Debbie, Neal, Jane, Kate, Adam, Jim, Barb, Don, Maria, Stevan, Diana, Jeff, Gail B., Dave, Sarah, Chris M., Marko, Aunt Rada, Grandma Vasich, Alex, Annie, Mary Lee, Donna, Sue, Dana, and Katie.  Jenny, Milt, Carol, Mike, Chris and Paul wish to tell you all we are comforted by your remembering and praying for our dear Greg. We all miss him much.