Gregory Alan Rios

Once upon a time, on the westside of Los Angeles not far from the ocean there was a humble white house where there lived a young boy named Gregory Alan Rios who loved his family very much. The youngest of three by over a decade Greg was born January 12th of 1955, a few weeks early. A surprise to his family and a theme to his personality as he would continue to dance to the beat of his own drum. He loved a warm tortilla with butter and his dads sopa de fideo which would later evolve into an endlessly creative palate where he’d make up recipes on the spot. His deep love for music was instant, as a newborn he would stop crying the moment someone set the needle down on the vinyl. At 4 years old he’d put on shows for his parents Edward Rios (1917-1989) and Juanita Rios (1919 - 1986) where he’d comb his jet black hair back, pound on the piano while everyone would clap. Adored by his brothers Edward Rios and Gary Rios (1941-2001) who’d watched Greg in awe as he scooped up a grounder catapulting it to second before anyone could mutter the word safe. Baseball became more than a sport for Greg as it would not only bring him joy but friendships and purpose. He was an honest and fierce friend. Spoke truth with a directness that only his soft kind voice could deliver. His love for music grew into his love for dance which easily made him into a ladies man. Which is how he met his first wife Marjorie Cepeda. Naturally that led to children, two daughters; Liana Juanita Rios and Melisa Mia Rios who would adore him just as much as the family who raised him. He taught them the important things in life; how to make good food, always be honest and kind, never turn off the music, when in doubt dance, no one will make you laugh harder than yourself and baseball, obviously. He’d pass down his love for movies, childlike essence, and ageless skin. Greg would find long lasting love later in his life to Mika Hirota, a woman who he felt safe, silly and so incredibly loved by. They would drink wine, dance at concerts, cry to movies, and even travel outside of California if you can believe it. As much as Greg loved having daughters he loved having a son in Elijah Teller just as much. The relationship bloomed over their intense love for baseball (specifically the Dodgers), reading endless books, and sharing stories about Los Angeles. Greg would then become a grandpa or Jiji as his first grandchild Ousei Teller Rios would lovingly call him. Their bond instant and their love for each other strong. He would always know how to make a child laugh as he never seemed to lose the child within himself. Diagnosed with cancer in his fifties he learned how to cherish every moment. Greg was brave and open hearted. Just as his birth the last of his days came suddenly with surprise. Age 68, Greg took his last breath at his home in San Francisco with his wife and two daughters by his side holding his hands while listening to music on September 12, 2023.

Please check here for information on the Memorial Service - https://pp.events/aadkl0ZL

In leu of flowers we ask that you hold your loved ones extra tight tonight, turn that song up, sing out loud, make a silly face at yourself in the mirror, tell the waitress whoever your with is holding you captive, enjoy a glass of Riesling, get that vanilla soft serve dipped in the hard shell chocolate, call a friend just to say hi, take a longer look at that view from top of the hill and feel in your body all the blessings in your life. If you feel strongly about sending something, donations can be made to UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health (https://osher.ucsf.edu/donate) in Greg’s memory.