Greg's Fund
Donation protected
Greg passed away peacefully at his home on July 27th. He fought valiantly and remained upbeat and cheerful even in final days, cherishing life and friends.
Greg and Mark officially got married two weeks before he passed, a culmination of 32 years of shared life. It was a sweet and intimate ceremony, officiated by our friend, Bea Ann Smith, and attended by a few of their Chez Zee family. We're grateful for that beautiful day and for spending those last glorious moments with Greg.
This Go Fund Me page will remain open and the funds donated will be used to support Mark through the difficult challenge of figuring out a life without his lifeline. He plans to move closer to his family in the next few weeks and these funds will help him immensely with moving and immediate expenses. Thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts!
His story: When you come to Chez Zee American Bistro in Austin, Texas you might be greeted by a gentleman named Greg Smith who will say "Good Evening Cher" (pronounced sha and meaning dear in French, which stems from his being, as he might describe himself "a Cajun from Louisiana"). He will most likely shake your hand or give you a kiss on the cheek and warmly take you to your table and proceed to make your night the most enjoyable evening you've ever had, dining in any restaurant, in any city, in any country, in the entire world.
"Greg just makes me feel good about life, he makes me happy and he makes me feel beautiful every time I walk in the door. I know that might sound strange to say about a server but he's more than that. He's become part of our family" said one of his regular customers. I heard this as I often do, and thought, this is how he makes all of us feel when we are in his presence. Greg is just that kind of person. The kind of person that would literally give you the shirt of his back. The kind of person that if you needed to borrow $20, he'd give you $40 and say "Please don't pay me back cher." As one of his co-workers said, "When my car broke down and I couldn't afford to get it fixed, he picked me up for work for two entire years. I didn't even have to ask, he would just be there on my doorstep. Ready for work, cher?" She went on to say "Not only would he give me a ride to work but we would have the most interesting conversations about life on the way, they were so profound; not to mention that he would always have food or a few dollars to give to every single homeless person on every single corner in Austin. He couldn't stand to see anyone suffer."
With his warm and accepting nature you would never know he lost his house and every last thing he owned in hurricane Katrina. You would never know the insurance company he had paid for years told him "it was the wind that destroyed your house” and not give him one penny for all that he lost. With his bright smile and giving nature you would never know.
After the tragedy of Katrina, Greg and his partner of over 30 years Mark, weren’t sure what to do or where to go but they knew it was time to leave New Orleans, where they had been restauranteurs for many years. After losing everything they ever owned except the clothes on their backs, they decided to make a fresh start. They had heard great things about a place called Austin, Texas. "Keep Austin Weird" was the motto of the city. Austin was the Live music Capital of the world, a place with great restaurants and a place where people cared about their community. He and Mark said, “let's go!”
That's when we at Chez Zee, through a word of mouth referral from Greg and Mark's landlord, got the privilege of meeting and immediately hiring Greg Smith. As soon as Greg and Mark arrived in their new town, they were so happy and loved Austin more than any other city they had ever lived in. Just as they were settling into their new life and routine, Mark was diagnosed with colon cancer. This was devastating news to everyone, but Greg was Mark's champion. He took him to every doctor's appointment, kept his spirits up through the over three surgeries, multiple chemo therapy treatments and all that is involved in fighting cancer. With Greg's help and support Mark is now in remission.
Unfortunately, from all of the treatments, Mark is no longer able to work. Greg continued to encourage Mark stay active and involved in life with his creative endeavors: beautiful hand-made bow ties for puppies and one-of-a-kind wood bird houses. We are so proud of Greg and Mark and all they have done to carry on despite Katrina and other challenges in their lives, and always giving so much to everyone in their lives.
As if all this was not enough, life threw yet another curveball. Greg had what he thought was a minor back problem. Being the strong man that he is, a person who doesn't complain and does all the hard work he is asked to do with a smile, he waited patiently to heal. Finally, after much coaxing he went to the doctor which is when he got the devastating news that he too, has cancer. The doctor told him he should start getting his affairs in order... Greg immediately came to his family at Chez Zee, as he said "I didn't know where else to go!"
Greg has been courageously fighting cancer for over 3 months now. He was told that a few rounds of low dose chemo may slow down the disease and enable him to live a few months longer, but he has not responded well to chemo. He is very critically ill right now and Mark is in dire need of resources to care for him.
Greg and Mark have already used most of the funds donated so far for his co-pay and other expenses, and their finances are not in good shape right now. They really need our help! So many of us feel helpless and unable to make a difference in the world but this is an opportunity to make a huge difference in the life of someone who has touched and helped so many people.
Greg and Mark finally got "legally" married on July 14th in the presence of a few members of their Chez Zee family. It was probably the last time Greg was able to stay up for a few minutes and be himself. We're so grateful for that beautiful day!
We are asking that you give whatever you can to make Greg and Mark's life manageable during this very difficult time. Every penny of your donation will go to Greg and Mark. We appreciate all who have already contibuted in honor of our special friend. We hope you'll spread the word.
With appreciation,
Chez Zee family
Greg and Mark officially got married two weeks before he passed, a culmination of 32 years of shared life. It was a sweet and intimate ceremony, officiated by our friend, Bea Ann Smith, and attended by a few of their Chez Zee family. We're grateful for that beautiful day and for spending those last glorious moments with Greg.
This Go Fund Me page will remain open and the funds donated will be used to support Mark through the difficult challenge of figuring out a life without his lifeline. He plans to move closer to his family in the next few weeks and these funds will help him immensely with moving and immediate expenses. Thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts!
His story: When you come to Chez Zee American Bistro in Austin, Texas you might be greeted by a gentleman named Greg Smith who will say "Good Evening Cher" (pronounced sha and meaning dear in French, which stems from his being, as he might describe himself "a Cajun from Louisiana"). He will most likely shake your hand or give you a kiss on the cheek and warmly take you to your table and proceed to make your night the most enjoyable evening you've ever had, dining in any restaurant, in any city, in any country, in the entire world.
"Greg just makes me feel good about life, he makes me happy and he makes me feel beautiful every time I walk in the door. I know that might sound strange to say about a server but he's more than that. He's become part of our family" said one of his regular customers. I heard this as I often do, and thought, this is how he makes all of us feel when we are in his presence. Greg is just that kind of person. The kind of person that would literally give you the shirt of his back. The kind of person that if you needed to borrow $20, he'd give you $40 and say "Please don't pay me back cher." As one of his co-workers said, "When my car broke down and I couldn't afford to get it fixed, he picked me up for work for two entire years. I didn't even have to ask, he would just be there on my doorstep. Ready for work, cher?" She went on to say "Not only would he give me a ride to work but we would have the most interesting conversations about life on the way, they were so profound; not to mention that he would always have food or a few dollars to give to every single homeless person on every single corner in Austin. He couldn't stand to see anyone suffer."
With his warm and accepting nature you would never know he lost his house and every last thing he owned in hurricane Katrina. You would never know the insurance company he had paid for years told him "it was the wind that destroyed your house” and not give him one penny for all that he lost. With his bright smile and giving nature you would never know.
After the tragedy of Katrina, Greg and his partner of over 30 years Mark, weren’t sure what to do or where to go but they knew it was time to leave New Orleans, where they had been restauranteurs for many years. After losing everything they ever owned except the clothes on their backs, they decided to make a fresh start. They had heard great things about a place called Austin, Texas. "Keep Austin Weird" was the motto of the city. Austin was the Live music Capital of the world, a place with great restaurants and a place where people cared about their community. He and Mark said, “let's go!”
That's when we at Chez Zee, through a word of mouth referral from Greg and Mark's landlord, got the privilege of meeting and immediately hiring Greg Smith. As soon as Greg and Mark arrived in their new town, they were so happy and loved Austin more than any other city they had ever lived in. Just as they were settling into their new life and routine, Mark was diagnosed with colon cancer. This was devastating news to everyone, but Greg was Mark's champion. He took him to every doctor's appointment, kept his spirits up through the over three surgeries, multiple chemo therapy treatments and all that is involved in fighting cancer. With Greg's help and support Mark is now in remission.
Unfortunately, from all of the treatments, Mark is no longer able to work. Greg continued to encourage Mark stay active and involved in life with his creative endeavors: beautiful hand-made bow ties for puppies and one-of-a-kind wood bird houses. We are so proud of Greg and Mark and all they have done to carry on despite Katrina and other challenges in their lives, and always giving so much to everyone in their lives.
As if all this was not enough, life threw yet another curveball. Greg had what he thought was a minor back problem. Being the strong man that he is, a person who doesn't complain and does all the hard work he is asked to do with a smile, he waited patiently to heal. Finally, after much coaxing he went to the doctor which is when he got the devastating news that he too, has cancer. The doctor told him he should start getting his affairs in order... Greg immediately came to his family at Chez Zee, as he said "I didn't know where else to go!"
Greg has been courageously fighting cancer for over 3 months now. He was told that a few rounds of low dose chemo may slow down the disease and enable him to live a few months longer, but he has not responded well to chemo. He is very critically ill right now and Mark is in dire need of resources to care for him.
Greg and Mark have already used most of the funds donated so far for his co-pay and other expenses, and their finances are not in good shape right now. They really need our help! So many of us feel helpless and unable to make a difference in the world but this is an opportunity to make a huge difference in the life of someone who has touched and helped so many people.
Greg and Mark finally got "legally" married on July 14th in the presence of a few members of their Chez Zee family. It was probably the last time Greg was able to stay up for a few minutes and be himself. We're so grateful for that beautiful day!
We are asking that you give whatever you can to make Greg and Mark's life manageable during this very difficult time. Every penny of your donation will go to Greg and Mark. We appreciate all who have already contibuted in honor of our special friend. We hope you'll spread the word.
With appreciation,
Chez Zee family
Organizer and beneficiary
Chez Zee
Organizer
Austin, TX
Gregory Smith
Beneficiary