Daniel Arthur Grenier

POWAY - Daniel Arthur Grenier died peacefully at home on July 29, surrounded by family, after a year of treatment for neuroendocrine cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Nan (nee Lustig), daughters Nikki (Erick) Lopez and Alexis (James) Zimmerman, grandchildren Juliet, Daisy, Tony, Audrey, Austin and Emmi, siblings Gail (Mike) Sweet, Sally (Dale) Yakel, and David (Mary), many nieces and nephews. His parents Ted and Audrey Grenier and his brother George preceded him in death.

Dan was born March 11, 1953. Raised in Milwaukee and Brookfield, he graduated from Marquette University High School in 1971 and spent the next 10 years writing music and performing. He hit the road with his own bands and led the back-up band for Dion. He worked on a Dion session with producer Phil Spector in Gold Star Studios in LA, where he got a song placed on the album. His song “Sheila” was part of the 93QFM Hometown album in 1982. His Milwaukee bands included Years, Street Corner Band, and Dan Grenier and the Hitters. The 100+ songs he wrote still sound great.

After moving to the San Diego area in 1981, he worked 40 years in finance. As vice president of supervision at Independent Financial Group and regional vice president at Sentra (AIG), he enjoyed mentoring and was well-liked by peers. He and Nan loved sailing and traveling with their daughters. He continued to play guitar and sing with his family and with local musicians (Fighting Clowns and Silverback Cadillacs) for fun. In later years he became a talented chef. He adored his grandchildren. Friends remember his warmth and sense of humor. In Dan’s memory, make someone laugh in the checkout line.