Gary was a great friend. He was fun to be around, and genuinely cared about other people. I will miss him.

When we moved into the neighborhood we prayed we would meet nice people, in hopes to build new friendships with. Then we met Gary…the answer to our prayers!! He was the bond that pulled us all together as friends here in our court. He brought happiness to all of us! We feel so blessed that we got to spend the time we did with him. It will never be the same without him, but he will definitely live on in all of our hearts! We will always be here for you Sherry. We love you!

I am shocked and saddened by Gary’s passing. I have always been beyond grateful for the caregiver he became for my Nancy, along with taking her to doctors appointments, and cooking and helping her til John came home. He was such a big help. His skills as a handy man were always spot on. Always in good humor and just so pleasant to be around. My heart goes out to Sherry, Parker, and his family. We will all miss you Gary.

Gary was very special to us. As a neighbor he was the best. We really felt like he was a part of our family. To me he was like a brother we laughed and cried together, we even fought like siblings but at the end of the day we got over it and always loved and cared about each other. Gary was the one you could always count on no matter what. My grandsons loved wrestling and playing with him. He was one of a kind, no one can take his place. And it is so true, he will live on in all of us. Sherry we are here for you always, you and Parker and all of the family are in our prayers. You are truly a wonderful family!!

Gary was a good man with a huge heart. He was always looking for ways to be a blessing wherever he could. He made it a priority to welcome all the new neighbors and brought us all together. He sure was the life of the party. He reminded me so much of my brother, that passed away in 2019. Of course there were moments we didn’t see eye to eye but never did that stop him for being there when my mom was away and I needed help. He will be missed. I am praying for Sherry, Parker and the rest of the family! 🙏🙏🙏

Gary was a true friend. We were once strangers and within a short course of a few months, we grew so close together. Saying we loved each other when we said goodbye. I said goodbye to him Friday evening, never knowing what was to come. When we loose someone we always wish, well what if? Gary lived in the moment. I have no regrets with Gary but have so many memories to cherish and harvest forever. I am saddened but so happy that God even brought us together. We had so many great times together. Gary told me recently that he did his ancestry and informed me he was part Irish.

So here my Irish brother, is an Irish poem:

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.

And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

John O’Donohue
from Echoes of Memory

I knew Gary as a child. He was my dear friend’s nephew (close in years to my son). Our families (including Tammy) met up for beach days on Long Island’s south shore. When my own son received his “First Holy Communion”, Gary’s Mom, Patty loaned me a navy blue suite for my son to wear on this blessed day. Rest in peace Gary. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻