Gregory Dale Schultz
September 6, 1963 – September 13, 2022
September 6, 1963 – September 13, 2022
Gregory Dale Schultz, beloved liturgical musician, composer, mentor, and friend, passed away on September 13, 2022, at the age of 59, following several years of declining health. He was born on September 6, 1963, in Boulder, Colorado, to Dale and Diane Schultz.
Greg was a 1981 graduate of Ledyard High School in Ledyard, Connecticut. He went on to graduate from Fairfield University in 1985 and later earned both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1995.
From a young age, Greg’s life was shaped by music and ministry. He served as a gifted liturgical musician and choir director in numerous communities, including Our Lady of Lourdes in Gales Ferry, Connecticut; St. Pius X in Fairfield, Connecticut; and at Fairfield University. His ministry continued at Notre Dame Parish in Durham, Connecticut, and Saint Agnes in Niantic, Connecticut.
Greg’s vocation found a lasting home at Santa Clara University in California, where he served for 25 years as Director of Liturgy and Music in Campus Ministry. There, he became an integral presence not only in the Mission Church but across the entire university community. A fine and prolific composer, Greg created countless works for liturgy, choir, family occasions, and special celebrations. Among his notable contributions, he was commissioned by the Diocese of San Jose to compose “Sumus Ecclesia,” the theme song for the Jubilee Year marking the diocese’s 25th anniversary. He also lent his musical gifts to the theater, composing scores for Santa Clara’s theatre department..
Greg’s ministry extended far beyond music. He was deeply committed to accompanying others with compassion and authenticity. A strong and faithful advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, he offered counsel, encouragement, and unwavering support to many. He mentored generations of musicians and composers, sharing not only his talent but his time, wisdom, and care.
Those who knew Greg consistently speak of his generosity—of spirit, of presence, and of heart. He gave freely of himself, offering encouragement, enthusiasm, and gentle guidance. He possessed a rare humility, grounded in an honest awareness of both his strengths and his struggles, and he brought his whole self to the ministry he loved—second only to the people with whom he shared it.
Greg was a friend, a supporter, and a father figure to many. He was known for his hearty laughter and warm embraces, as well as for a quiet, steady presence that brought comfort and peace. In his final days, he was able to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick and receive Viaticum, accompanied by members of the Jesuit community he had served so faithfully.
He is survived by his mother, Diane; his sisters, Eileen, Elaine, and Karen; and a wide circle of friends, colleagues, students, and loved ones whose lives were enriched by his faith, music, and love.
Two memorial services were held in celebration of Greg’s life: on October 15 at Edgerton Park in New Haven, Connecticut, and on October 29 in the Mission Church at Santa Clara University.
Greg’s own words, drawn from his composition “Home, Your Embrace,” offer a fitting remembrance:
Home, a dwelling place
A shelter, a resting place
A refuge sure and safe—
Your embrace.
May he now rest in that eternal embrace, the home he so beautifully proclaimed in song and in life.