Gregory Frank Sale
Gregory Frank Sale, 65, was born on February 28, 1952 to very loving parents, Frank Donald Sale and Frances “Norinne” (LaFond) Sale in Riverside, Ca at March Air Force Base. Greg left us quickly and very unexpectedly due to a massive heart attack on Friday, July 7, 2017. Greg lived in Riverside his early years and then the family moved to Guam where his dad was stationed in the military. After a few years the family moved back to the States and in November of 1964, his dad retired after 28 years in the Air Force and the family relocated to Roseburg, Oregon just in time for the “Big” ’64 flood! Nicknamed “Sailboat”or just “Boat” at a young age, the name stuck for a lifetime! Greg graduated from Roseburg High School in 1970. He worked for the DFPA during High School as well as after graduation. He attended Umpqua Community College and was drafted into the Army in 1973 where he eventually ended up in the Panama Canal as a radio operator and driving the “General”! Greg was organized, detail oriented and could send Morse code faster than anyone on base! After the Army Greg worked for Bi-Mart as the Sporting Goods Department Manager for many years and then on to Georgia Pacific where was the manager of Paper Plus for 20+ years. He retired 10 years ago to play golf and pool with “The Boys” and to live his live the way most of us only dream of living! Greg was always happy and passionate about his music and he dived deeply into the music world booking and promoting bands, many of whom he put on the “Map”! He loved Mac’s at The Vet’s Club and spent years bringing bands to the small stage at the Nightclub and packing the house night after night! Greg had such a kind heart….He had no enemies, knew no stranger and was friend to everyone and never looked down on a soul. Greg’s love for those around him was so evident in everything he did. His Pool Team was together over 32 years and his golf group over 26 years as well! Every year he couldn’t wait for his “Bingo Bango Bongo World Championship” golf trip with the boys and talked about it for months before and after every year! The year he won, he became “King” for the year! So many wonderful traditions! He was very proud of that! Greg’s life was very diversified as he passionately loved his family, his friends, the Oregon Ducks, golf, his pool, his garden, his music and all those who played beautiful tunes…… he was always bringing fresh vegetables to his family and friends and was very proud of his produce! His garden was laid out precise and exact. Same exact spaces between each row and marked with little wooden stakes with labels on each row as to what was planted! Nothing was out of order in his life! He knew who to call and where to go for just about anything anyone needed, he knew everyone and they knew him! Greg was always the life of the party and up for any crazy idea someone came up with. He is going to be missed by so many who called Greg their friend and brother. Greg was so loved, had so many friends, many have said they are a better person for knowing Greg and many have stated their lives will be changed forever with his passing…..In 1989 he married the one true love of his life, Janet and her 2 beautiful little girls, Erica and Lizzy who he quickly fell in love with as well. A wonderful dad and protector to the day he died. He loved those girls and was always so proud to introduce them as “his daughters”. Greg and Janet divorced in 2003 but always remained close friends.
Greg has 2 loving sisters who also grew up idolizing him and we knew he was always there for us as well. Protector and sometimes “Tormenter”  but we always loved each other!!! Our parents provided us with a wonderful and loving life that we were all so fortunate to have had.
Greg was preceded in death by both his parents and nephew Heath Bratton.
Greg is survived by his older sister, Pamela Sale, His “baby” sister, Sandy Bratton (Wayne), Niece Christy Melvin (Joe), Nephews Matthew Garrett, Todd Bratton (Emily), Niece Misha Sale, Cousins-Danny and Andy LaFond, Bud and Karen DeFord. Many great nieces and nephews and so many great friends!
We never, ever imagined our lives without you Greg. Save us a seat… Peaceful Sailing “Boat”
Celebration of Life ~ Greg’s Way! Sunday ~ July 30 2017 ~ 2:00pm – When the party is over! Mac’s Restaurant and Nightclub / The Vets Club / 1626 Willamette Street Eugene, OR 541.344.8600 / Chapel of the Roses ~ 541-673-4455
Please, in lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Greg’s name to M.E.M.A. ~ “Musicians Emergency Medical Association”~ This organization was very near and dear to Greg’s heart as music was one of the focal points of his life. For information please see the following: M.E.M.A. 541-736-6726, info@memafund.org, or P. O. Box 12168 | Eugene, OR 97440