It’s hard to find anyone in Blackburn Hamlet who didn’t know or had never met Greg Kazmierski. For close to 30 years, he was a fixture at the old Loeb grocery store in the Hamlet, and carried on in his role stocking shelves and greeting customers after it became a Metro store.

Away from the grocery store, Greg could always be found watching a hockey game in the Blackburn Arena or a baseball game on the nearby baseball diamond. He was also at every social function in the community from the Blackburn Fun Fair to whatever political event was happening at the time.

And all along the way and at every encounter, whatever he did he always had a huge smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He loved his community and the community loved him.

Sadly, Greg passed away on June 11, aged 50, a victim of early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The fact that he made it this far is a testament to Greg’s love of life, positive attitude and the strength of a mother who never wanted her son to be treated differently than any other kid.

Greg faced an enormous challenge right out of the gate. Shortly after being born in Germany on July 9, 1972, the doctors discovered that he had two holes in his heart. But that wasn’t all of it. He was also born with Down Syndrome.

His parents Mary Anne and Carl were told that Greg had little to no hope of seeing his first birthday – or whether it was even worth fighting to save him.

With a strong sense that the German doctors were wrong, Mary Jane and Carl decided to immigrate to Canada to seek a second opinion.

Once here, they had to convince Canadian Immigration officials that Greg’s life had sufficient value to offset the potential costs to Canada’s health and social services.

Greg not only survived to see his first birthday party, but many more. When it came time to attend elementary school, Mary Jane had to fight once again, this time to allow her son to attend classes at Good Shepherd Catholic School with the other kids in his neighbourhood rather than go to a special needs school.

Greg not only fit in, he became the most popular kid in the school. It was the same when he went to Lester B. Pearson High School, and when it came time to graduate with the rest of his class there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as he was given a lengthy standing ovation.

Greg was special and he made everyone who met him feel special too.

He became close friend’s with former Innes Ward city councillor Rainer Bloess, who already knew his parents.

Greg attended every one of Rainer’s events and often helped out on his election campaigns.

“He was always there. You could never go very far in Blackburn Hamlet without running into Greg. He loved sports. He loved the Ottawa Senators. And he loved his community,” says Bloess, who bestowed the title of “Honourary Mayor of Blackburn Hamlet” on Greg in 2009.

“He thought that was the greatest thing ever,” says Bloess.

To that end, Greg’s self-glossed himself as the Honourary Mayor of Blackburn Hamlet, and man about town on his Instagram page.

After Larry O’Brien was elected mayor in 2010, Greg was invited to City Hall where he was mayor for the day. He got a special Chain of Office and was able to sit in the Mayor’s Chair in the council chamber.

“He was more popular then me,” says Bloess without a hint of exaggeration.

Innes Ward’s current councillor Laura Dudas remembers Greg’s legendary hugs, his contagious optimism and his beaming smile.

“I have many fond memories of Greg from when I was involved with the community association,” recalls Dudas. “I was so lucky to work with Greg on all sorts of events and projects. He was always there to help and to inspire us all through his selfless good works. He touched so many lives. He will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to his family and to his many, many friends.”

A true testament of Greg’s impact on the people around him and the residents of Blackburn Hamlet is that his family had to hold three separate visitations in order to accommodate all the people who wished to pay their respects and offer their condolences.

His funeral service was also performed in front of full house at Good Shepherd Church.

Greg was predeceased by his parents Mary Jane and Carl and will be deeply missed by his family Vincent, Angie, Tara, Cal, Paige, Josh, Phoenix and Nerisse.