Gregory J. Bartz, 62, of Madison, died May 1 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was born on June 11, 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, son of the late Roger and Geraldine (Foote) Bartz. Greg was the beloved husband of 16 years to Dawn (Mirone) Bartz. He had served as a police officer in Laguna Beach, California, for 33 years, 15 of those as a sergeant and watch commander.

Greg retired from the force in 2004, and he and his family moved to Madison. While a police officer, he received many distinctions in his career, including the Police Cross and the Medal of Merit.

Greg knew everyone in town and everyone knew him. In retirement, he was very active in raising his youngest children, Katie, Payton, and Sam. He loved nothing better than being with his family, traveling together, chaperoning trips, chauffeuring the kids to sporting events, and cooking for them. His kids say he had the greatest sense of humor, and that he could make up a song in a moment’s notice and was quick to give a hug.

Greg often said his greatest achievement in life was his five children and six grandchildren. He was very proud of the career choices of his two oldest sons in the service of their country. Shaun is a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Arizona and Patrick served in Afghanistan and Iraq in the U.S. Army.

Greg also had a great many friends from the department, his neighborhood, and Stop & Shop, where he worked part-time so that he could keep active while his kids were in school. His death leaves a big void both for his family and to his community.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his five children, Katherine Bartz, Payton Bartz, Sam Bartz, Shaun Bartz and his wife Crystal of Arizona, and Patrick Bartz and his wife Jamie of Colorado. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Bella, Ellie, Michael, Hunter, Liam, and Quinn Bartz, and three brothers, Bruce Bartz and his wife Kathy of Michigan, Steve Bartz of California, and Don Bartz of Michigan.

His family will receive friends from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 9, at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison, at which time a funeral procession will gather and leave for a 5 p.m. funeral mass at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 24 Academy St., Madison.