Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

[laurelgirl]

Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Greg Coco passed at 4am, February 11, 2009. An open memorial service will take place at the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center Saturday, February 14 at 4pm. The service is open to the public to mourn the loss of such a great person and leader.

[jigadier brindle]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

Greg was a dear friend, a decorated veteran, and an outstanding historian. If you haven't read any of his books, I'd recommend picking up one of his best works, A Strange and Blighted Land: Gettysburg, The Aftermath of a Battle, which is an excellent read.

He will be sorely missed.

[buckeye bear]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

I am so sorry to hear that he passed. My condolences to his family and friends. I truly enjoyed his books. They really changed my perspective of Civil War combat.

Scott Bierer
Mess No.1

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

Greg was undoubtedly one of my favorite people when I worked at the Visitor Center. A brilliant author and historian, as well as a thoroughly enjoyable conversationalist, Greg could go seamlessly from discussing the minutiae of one of his pet research projects to welcoming a clueless family to the Park. My fondest memory of him was when I had written a letter to the editor of the local paper about the ghost tour industry, and left a copy at the Ranger desk to get their opinion. Suddenly, Greg appeared in the bookstore, came toward me, and said he wanted to shake my hand. I felt instantly vindicated. Current events, his own personal history, and his humorous anecdotes...Greg could talk about them all with equal eloquence. Definitely one of the "good guys" at GNMP, whose loss will be felt.

[DougCooper]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

Dang - how old was Greg? I think I own every book he wrote. He specialized in bringing the human cost of war front and center. This is a great loss for the Park and the country. RIP Greg, now joined with the vets of the war he knew so well.

[Cyclesmith]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

Very tragic news.... I had no idea!! I did an internship at GNMP while in college and got a change to meet, work with, and be-friend Greg. I spent many long hours in the Library at Gettysburg with Greg. It's been years but I will always remember him as a wonderful guy, and a historian and author that taught me a lot. He was a great professional... but behind the scenes he was a funny guy who I enjoyed. He had many interesting views on the world!! I feel honored I got to know him a bit. I leave here today with a heavy heart.

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

His books are indeed a pleasure to read and own. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but own all of his books! A sad loss indeed.

[Gary of CA]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

We lose another historian. He leaves the world a better place because of him. RIP.

[garyjd]

Re: Author and Gettysburg Park Ranger Passes

I always felt that the Gettysburg audio tour narrated by Mr. Coco was and is the best out there. That is in addition to his many books. It's a shame seeing so many good folks pass at such an early age. ~Gary

RIP