[Ecuadog]

Rest in peace.

[gomoho]

Gary will truly be missed - Kitty glad to hear you have his loving cat - I know that weighed heavily on his mind. RIP Gee Whiz.

[Barkay]

Will miss our Beatlemaniac musician brother. He loved playing his left handed sixties model Epiphone Casino guitar. Prayers up.

[CFrance]

I did a search for all of Gary's posts, because they were so interesting. One of my favorites was on 6/20, in response to the thread asking who your oldest relative was. It must have been just days before his death. I hope he did not die alone.

Gary's response to the thread was a lovely biography of his "Papa," his step-grandfather. Here it is again for your enjoyment, and as a way to honor Gary. He was quite the raconteur...

"My Papa -- the man who raised me and was technically my step-grandfather lived until he was 101. He died in 2010 - just after my divorce (a bad year - my music partner died from ALS that year, also).

Papa lived many lives. He was of Russian Jewish stock. He was kicked out of his home at 16 for shacking up with a 22 year old divorcee. He went to live with his uncle who was in the fish business. His uncle sent him to Sitka Alaska to work on a fishing boat. Papa came back and sold herring to Jewish businesses throughout Chicago.

During the war he was sent back to the Alaska where he was wounded by a Japanesse bomber.

After the war, he opened his own smokehouse and store. His best friend was Lenny Patrick - a Jewish member of the Outfit and a well known hit man (Jack Ruby worked for him).

He rescued me from my divorced parents (who kept kidnapping me back and forth) by saying he'd have Lenny kill them both if they continued to mess with me. Papa took me in and raised me as his son.

By the late 80's Papa sold his business. We toured Europe together. I remember us renting bicycles at Versaiilles and touring the grounds. He biked fast.

A year later he drove to LA and did what every retired fish guy does - he went to work for a movie special effects company. He became friends with Martin Scorsese. He travelled to Hawaii and Nola. He lived well.

When his body started to fail he raged. Death was a relief - it freed his soul. I miss Papa. "

And we miss you, Gary.

[carm310]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I did a search for all of Gary's posts, because they were so interesting. One of my favorites was on 6/20, in response to the thread asking who your oldest relative was. It must have been just days before his death. I hope he did not die alone.

Gary's response to the thread was a lovely biography of his "Papa," his step-grandfather. Here it is again for your enjoyment, and as a way to honor Gary. He was quite the raconteur...

"My Papa -- the man who raised me and was technically my step-grandfather lived until he was 101. He died in 2010 - just after my divorce (a bad year - my music partner died from ALS that year, also).

Papa lived many lives. He was of Russian Jewish stock. He was kicked out of his home at 16 for shacking up with a 22 year old divorcee. He went to live with his uncle who was in the fish business. His uncle sent him to Sitka Alaska to work on a fishing boat. Papa came back and sold herring to Jewish businesses throughout Chicago.

During the war he was sent back to the Alaska where he was wounded by a Japanesse bomber.

After the war, he opened his own smokehouse and store. His best friend was Lenny Patrick - a Jewish member of the Outfit and a well known hit man (Jack Ruby worked for him).

He rescued me from my divorced parents (who kept kidnapping me back and forth) by saying he'd have Lenny kill them both if they continued to mess with me. Papa took me in and raised me as his son.

By the late 80's Papa sold his business. We toured Europe together. I remember us renting bicycles at Versaiilles and touring the grounds. He biked fast.

A year later he drove to LA and did what every retired fish guy does - he went to work for a movie special effects company. He became friends with Martin Scorsese. He travelled to Hawaii and Nola. He lived well.

When his body started to fail he raged. Death was a relief - it freed his soul. I miss Papa. "

And we miss you, Gary.

Thank you so much for sharing this. It is very touching especially in light of Gary's homecoming with his Papa.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I did a search for all of Gary's posts, because they were so interesting. One of my favorites was on 6/20, in response to the thread asking who your oldest relative was. It must have been just days before his death. I hope he did not die alone.

Gary's response to the thread was a lovely biography of his "Papa," his step-grandfather. Here it is again for your enjoyment, and as a way to honor Gary. He was quite the raconteur...

"My Papa -- the man who raised me and was technically my step-grandfather lived until he was 101. He died in 2010 - just after my divorce (a bad year - my music partner died from ALS that year, also).

Papa lived many lives. He was of Russian Jewish stock. He was kicked out of his home at 16 for shacking up with a 22 year old divorcee. He went to live with his uncle who was in the fish business. His uncle sent him to Sitka Alaska to work on a fishing boat. Papa came back and sold herring to Jewish businesses throughout Chicago.

During the war he was sent back to the Alaska where he was wounded by a Japanesse bomber.

After the war, he opened his own smokehouse and store. His best friend was Lenny Patrick - a Jewish member of the Outfit and a well known hit man (Jack Ruby worked for him).

He rescued me from my divorced parents (who kept kidnapping me back and forth) by saying he'd have Lenny kill them both if they continued to mess with me. Papa took me in and raised me as his son.

By the late 80's Papa sold his business. We toured Europe together. I remember us renting bicycles at Versaiilles and touring the grounds. He biked fast.

A year later he drove to LA and did what every retired fish guy does - he went to work for a movie special effects company. He became friends with Martin Scorsese. He travelled to Hawaii and Nola. He lived well.

When his body started to fail he raged. Death was a relief - it freed his soul. I miss Papa. "

And we miss you, Gary.

Thank you Cyndy.. I believe death was a relief for Gary too--and that he is free and flying around with Papa today.

[MSG@TV]

Thanks for sharing that memorable post of his. So sad to hear of his passing. Wished I had met him.

[DonH57]

I was saddened to hear of Gary's passing. I was fortunate to at least meet him once at one of the monthly luncheons and wish I had known him better.

[msendo]

I, too, am saddened to hear about the news of Gary, aka GeeWiz. He was quite a colorful character. I had enjoyed his posts, and my husband had corresponded with Gary, hoping to one day meet him in person. He seemed to have touched many people, perhaps more than he will ever know.

RIP

[jackz]

Very Sad to hear of Gary's passing.

SanFranDianne and I met Gary at a Crispers luncheon recently and very much enjoyed talking with him.

May he rest in peace and may his family know he touched many via his postings in TOTV. He will be missed.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Does anyone know if Gary will have a memorial service here? If not, shouldn't we try to do something in his memory?

Upon reading the last sentence, a thought immediately came into mind and here is a suggestion based on that thought. If someone was willing to plan and organize it, a memorial bench could be purchased if enough of us were willing to chip in with a reasonable donation to cover the $675 cost. Individuals could also purchase a Veterans Memorial Brick if they wanted to for $55. Here is a link to the VCDD page that gives more detail about both programs: Village Community Development Districts

[mainlander]

This is indeed very sad news. Still young by the new standards. Rest in Peace Gary.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

Upon reading the last sentence, a thought immediately came into mind and here is a suggestion based on that thought. If someone was willing to plan and organize it, a memorial bench could be purchased if enough of us were willing to chip in with a reasonable donation to cover the $675 cost. Individuals could also purchase a Veterans Memorial Brick if they wanted to for $55. Here is a link to the VCDD page that gives more detail about both programs: Village Community Development Districts

I like that idea...I'll check on it unless someone else knows how to do it...
Kitty

[RETIREDSFW]

Kitty, let us know what you find out. I am willing to chip in. I enjoyed talking to gary at your house & listening to him sing & play.

[blue72]

Originally Posted by Midvale

A shame. You'd never have guessed from his upbeat posts that he had any problems. Will be missed.

Sorry I never got to meet you in person. I always enjoyed your contributions and humor here on TOTV
R.I.P. friend, you will be missed by many.