This flag was presented to us by some of Gary’s coworkers. We feel pleased and honored that they would take the time to think of us and present this flag to us that flew over the Kennedy Space Center while Gary worked there.
Thanks Guys
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thoughts of Gary from Craig
Gary's brother Craig, his wife Kay, Eric and Kathleen
If I were to sit and write down all the memories and stories about my brother Gary it would form a tome probably rivaling Tolstoy's War and Peace in its length. Most of the stories would tell of Gary's love of things mechanical. Gary would pull a rusty old lawn mower out of some one's trash that hadn't run in years and we would be mowing our lawn with it the next day. Gary wasn't only concerned about the condition of the engine in his own vehicles but was always concerned about how every one else's car was running as many of his friends and relatives have already written down and stated.
My Mom and Dad, as well as me and my brothers and sister went through some heartbreaking times with Gary as well. But as Paul wrote in the book of Romans, "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose." My whole immediate family as well as some of my extended family came to Christ and it all started with Gary.
I was amazed as I sat in the pew behind my parents at Gary's wake and listened to all the people who paid their respects that we didn't even know that Gary helped in some way. "Gary fixed my roof after a hurricane", " Gary drove all the way out to my house to help me put in a water pump" etc.
One word that seems to pop into my head when I think of Gary is 'fireworks" . Letting the 4th of July go by without about 2 tons of fireworks was anathema to Gary. I still remember the crater that was left in Jacks backyard in Bensalem. About 6 foot in diameter and about a foot deep. Gary would drive all the way to South of the Border every year and bring back a trunk load. (I still think he got some of them from a military base!)
One story I would like to tell. I went to visit Gary and my parents one weekend when they lived in Delaware and I remarked how much that I liked the watch that Gary had on. He took it off and gave it to me! It was a Rolex. (Of course it was a fake) but it was the best fake Rolex watch anybody ever saw. It was perpetual and the second hand swept just like a real one. It was the best watch I ever had. One day the stem came out and I couldn't set the time anymore and I never bothered to have it fixed. I looked all over for that watch after Gary's passing because I kept it but I haven't been able to find it. I hope that it turns up somewhere. We all miss you Gary.
Your Brother Craig
SOME COMMENTS BY CRAIG
I was always proud to tell my friends and co-workers that I had a brother that worked at the Kennedy Space Center. Every time there was a launch I always marveled that my brother Gary had a hand in it. Now whenever a shuttle or a rocket is launched I will think of Gary.
Its ironic seeing Gary in front of our old red and white Dodge van. The van eventually ended up being his later on.
I remember that Pat! I remember Mom taking him next door to the Conrey's because Jane Conrey was a nurse. The Conrey's also referred to Gary as "The Towhead". If I remember correctly he ended up at Lower Bucks hospital to have his stomach pumped.
From Dad,
He drank corn remover they didn't pump his stomach because they were afraid his stomach would blow out. They admitted him for observation.
Aunt Pat's Memories
I will never forget Gary:
Gary was the funniest kid I know. I remember when he filled soda cans with acytelene lit it and blew the window boxes off the house. He was always into something. Remember the time he got into the mini bike accident with Jimmy Beck? I can still hear that chuckle he had when he told you a story. He would always end his stories with a chuckle as he was walking away. When he would see me he would always say "Hey Aunt Pat how're doing?" When I first moved to Florida my car was brand new - only about 2000 miles on it and when I was down Helen & Jack's Gary came over and the first thing he wanted to do was change the oil in my car. There are so many things I remember - some of which have already been written about. I remember that time when he ate the neighbors cakes. I also remember the time he had to be taken to the hospital because he drank corn remover!! Talking about his repairs and inventions that grill he made is awesome. He was such a sincere guy - no wonder so many people loved him. He made so many people laugh.
Gary's Aunt Pat
Gary was the funniest kid I know. I remember when he filled soda cans with acytelene lit it and blew the window boxes off the house. He was always into something. Remember the time he got into the mini bike accident with Jimmy Beck? I can still hear that chuckle he had when he told you a story. He would always end his stories with a chuckle as he was walking away. When he would see me he would always say "Hey Aunt Pat how're doing?" When I first moved to Florida my car was brand new - only about 2000 miles on it and when I was down Helen & Jack's Gary came over and the first thing he wanted to do was change the oil in my car. There are so many things I remember - some of which have already been written about. I remember that time when he ate the neighbors cakes. I also remember the time he had to be taken to the hospital because he drank corn remover!! Talking about his repairs and inventions that grill he made is awesome. He was such a sincere guy - no wonder so many people loved him. He made so many people laugh.
Gary's Aunt Pat
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Garys Life Growing Up As I Remember It, By His Dad
Gary’s Life Growing Up As I Remember It
I'll add posts to this as I remember them.
I'll add posts to this as I remember them.
Garys Dad
Gary mainly grew up in Newportville, Bucks County Pennsylvania. He was different as were all of our kids, they all had distinct personalities. Gary was always mechanically inclined, he was always taking things apart and he could usually put them back together. He always had some sort of scheme going on.
Some of the most memorable ones.
Gary mainly grew up in Newportville, Bucks County Pennsylvania. He was different as were all of our kids, they all had distinct personalities. Gary was always mechanically inclined, he was always taking things apart and he could usually put them back together. He always had some sort of scheme going on.
Some of the most memorable ones.
The Aluminum Can Scheme
He and Ronnie Wilson decided to sell aluminum cans, first they had to crush the cans [I don‘t know the logic in this], Gary set the cans on a concrete block and Ronnie dropped another block on the cans, as they got faster Gary didn’t get his hand out in time, Gary came running home with a hurt hand there didn‘t seem to be any major damage to his hand, Woodie Wilson, Ron’s father came down to our house worried about Gary.
Another time Gary came home with a unicycle that he had bought from Ronnie Wilson for a couple of dollars, Ronnie had gotten it as a gift but couldn’t ride it so he sold it to Gary who rode as soon as he got on it. Later Mr. Wilson came down to our house and apologized but he had paid over a Hundred dollars for the bike and wanted it back, so Gary returned it and got his couple of dollars back.
He and Ronnie Wilson decided to sell aluminum cans, first they had to crush the cans [I don‘t know the logic in this], Gary set the cans on a concrete block and Ronnie dropped another block on the cans, as they got faster Gary didn’t get his hand out in time, Gary came running home with a hurt hand there didn‘t seem to be any major damage to his hand, Woodie Wilson, Ron’s father came down to our house worried about Gary.
Another time Gary came home with a unicycle that he had bought from Ronnie Wilson for a couple of dollars, Ronnie had gotten it as a gift but couldn’t ride it so he sold it to Gary who rode as soon as he got on it. Later Mr. Wilson came down to our house and apologized but he had paid over a Hundred dollars for the bike and wanted it back, so Gary returned it and got his couple of dollars back.
Jimmy Beck
Another one of Gary’s friends growing up was Jimmy Beck. They always had something going on, usually it involved a lawn mower or a Minnie bike.
Jimmy and Gary were always inventing some sort of bicycle they would ride around the neighborhood, the bikes were some crazy things. If they weren’t riding around on their crazy bikes they were riding around on a riding lawnmower.
Another one of Gary’s friends growing up was Jimmy Beck. They always had something going on, usually it involved a lawn mower or a Minnie bike.
Jimmy and Gary were always inventing some sort of bicycle they would ride around the neighborhood, the bikes were some crazy things. If they weren’t riding around on their crazy bikes they were riding around on a riding lawnmower.
Billy Diamond
Another of Gary’s friends was Billy Diamond, Billy had a safe in his basementthat had never been opened, Billy and Gary spent the whole summer trying to open that safe. They tried different combinations and wrote every one they tried in a note book, Gary showed me the note book and it was practically filled with numbers they had tried. They finally got the safe open and it was empty.
The Basket Case Motorcycle
Gary bought a motorcycle from a friend it was in about five cardboard boxes, He got it together and rode it. I will admit it wasn’t very safe. Gary was before duct tape so he used wire and chewing gum to repair things.
Bobby McIlvane
Bobby McIlvane
Gary had another friend Bobby McIlvane. Bobby’s father had a shop behind his house and he tinkered with everything. Mr. McIlvane bought a boat because he wanted the motor and not the boat. Of course Gary took the boat it was a fifteen foot fiberglass boat, we lived on the creek and one day I see Mr. McIlvane and Gary bringing this boat to our house, they put the boat in the creek. Gary got an old outboard some were and got it running and started cruising up and down the creek.
One night we wanted to go out and couldn’t find Gary, the kids told me he was out in his boat I went dawn the road and heard Gary and his friends in the boat they had gotten a pair of water skis some were and were skiing in about one foot of water with rocks every were. I told him how unsafe it was, I don’t know if he did it any more.
One night we wanted to go out and couldn’t find Gary, the kids told me he was out in his boat I went dawn the road and heard Gary and his friends in the boat they had gotten a pair of water skis some were and were skiing in about one foot of water with rocks every were. I told him how unsafe it was, I don’t know if he did it any more.
Cheryl Brady
When we lived in Winder Village Gary had a friend, Cheryl Brady they were about five years old, they did everything together. One day our next door neighbor came over to our house and asked if we had seen any strangers around the neighborhood, she had had a farmer that delivered food to her house and it was missing. I don’t remember how, but Gary admitted that he and Cheryl had taken it to the field behind our house and eaten it. We punished him told him not to do that again. A couple weeks later the next door neighbor came over and said her baked goods that were delivered were missing, of course we knew who to suspect, Gary and Cheryl admitted they had taken it back to the field and eaten it. I guess farm food and baked goods were different, so they had no problem taking the baked goods.
Gary and His Motorcycle Track
When we lived in Winder Village Gary had a friend, Cheryl Brady they were about five years old, they did everything together. One day our next door neighbor came over to our house and asked if we had seen any strangers around the neighborhood, she had had a farmer that delivered food to her house and it was missing. I don’t remember how, but Gary admitted that he and Cheryl had taken it to the field behind our house and eaten it. We punished him told him not to do that again. A couple weeks later the next door neighbor came over and said her baked goods that were delivered were missing, of course we knew who to suspect, Gary and Cheryl admitted they had taken it back to the field and eaten it. I guess farm food and baked goods were different, so they had no problem taking the baked goods.
Gary and His Motorcycle Track
There was a small lot at the end of our street, and I mean small. Gary made a motorcycle track there. It was in a wooded area, he was always looking for someone to race him. He could fly around that track but no one else could.
When he moved to Delaware he was always out in the woods riding his dirt bike, one day another fellow was riding out there and he challenged Gary to a race. Gary took him on, he didn’t beat but he came close. It turns out this guy was a motorcycle racer. He told he challenged Gary as a joke because Gary’s bike was so old. He told Gary he should try racing and told him where the track was. Gary was there next Sunday, and came in second. The next Gary was determined to come in first. He was out front when he crashed, when he got up he couldn’t start his bike because his ankle was broken. That was the end of his racing career. He was on crutches for a long time. He had just bought a Mustang fastback coupe with all the goodies, it was a fast car. The only problem it was a stick shift and Gary couldn’t use the clutch or get his crutches in the car without taking them apart. He struggled with that for awhile then traded it in for a SUV.
When he moved to Delaware he was always out in the woods riding his dirt bike, one day another fellow was riding out there and he challenged Gary to a race. Gary took him on, he didn’t beat but he came close. It turns out this guy was a motorcycle racer. He told he challenged Gary as a joke because Gary’s bike was so old. He told Gary he should try racing and told him where the track was. Gary was there next Sunday, and came in second. The next Gary was determined to come in first. He was out front when he crashed, when he got up he couldn’t start his bike because his ankle was broken. That was the end of his racing career. He was on crutches for a long time. He had just bought a Mustang fastback coupe with all the goodies, it was a fast car. The only problem it was a stick shift and Gary couldn’t use the clutch or get his crutches in the car without taking them apart. He struggled with that for awhile then traded it in for a SUV.
Gary the Ice Skater
We lived on a creek in Bucks County, the creek was a rather large one that emptied into the Delaware river and was tidal. Most winters the creek froze solid and all the kids in the neighborhood skated on it, at night they would build bonfires on it. I always was worried that one of the kids would go through the ice and be swept under the ice and be trapped.
There was a bridge over the creek near the house and for some reason the ice under the bridge would not freeze as solid as the rest of the creek. I warned the kids to keep away from the ice under the bridge. Of course Gary had to see how close he could he come to the thin ice and finally he went through. I think it was Robert Hawk that managed to pull him out without any harm but being wet and cold, that was Gary always trying to get as close as he could to danger.
GARY AND THE STOLEN CAR
There was a bridge over the creek near the house and for some reason the ice under the bridge would not freeze as solid as the rest of the creek. I warned the kids to keep away from the ice under the bridge. Of course Gary had to see how close he could he come to the thin ice and finally he went through. I think it was Robert Hawk that managed to pull him out without any harm but being wet and cold, that was Gary always trying to get as close as he could to danger.
GARY AND THE STOLEN CAR
Have you ever stolen a car? Not break a window get in and hot wire a car, just find the keys of a car of someone you know, and taken a joy ride without the owners consent and put it back before they knew it was gone.
One night when Gary was about fifteen years old I received a call one night from the Bristol Township Police that Gary was at the police station and would I come to the police station. I went up to the station house and met with the police. There three girls about fourteen or fifteen crying their eyes out there with their parents who were giving it to them.
A policeman took me aside and told me that this boy who was an acquaintance of Gary’s [ he did not know him that well] had a brother who was in the army and he decided to take his brothers car out for a little ride. He met up with Gary and Billy Diamond who were hanging around the neighborhood and picked them up for a ride. I hadn’t seen Billy at the police station [more about that later]. They all went riding around Levittown and picked up the three girls. They seemed like nice girls that just made a bad decision, while they were riding around they attracted the attention of the police. The driver of the car decided to lose the police [bad decision] and in the process got in a couple of minor accidents before he was caught. The policeman told me that Gary was not in any trouble, just that I should have a talk with him about his bad decisions.
I brought Gary home we didn‘t talk much on the way home, as soon he got into the house he immediately called Billy Diamond, and I heard him say to Billy “you lucky dog when I saw you jump out of that car I tried to jump too but he speeded up and I couldn’t jump” it seems that Billy jumped out of the car in Humeville when the police were chasing them, and no one saw him so he just walked home. That was Gary’s experience with a stolen car. If that was his only one I don’t know.
More to be added
One night when Gary was about fifteen years old I received a call one night from the Bristol Township Police that Gary was at the police station and would I come to the police station. I went up to the station house and met with the police. There three girls about fourteen or fifteen crying their eyes out there with their parents who were giving it to them.
A policeman took me aside and told me that this boy who was an acquaintance of Gary’s [ he did not know him that well] had a brother who was in the army and he decided to take his brothers car out for a little ride. He met up with Gary and Billy Diamond who were hanging around the neighborhood and picked them up for a ride. I hadn’t seen Billy at the police station [more about that later]. They all went riding around Levittown and picked up the three girls. They seemed like nice girls that just made a bad decision, while they were riding around they attracted the attention of the police. The driver of the car decided to lose the police [bad decision] and in the process got in a couple of minor accidents before he was caught. The policeman told me that Gary was not in any trouble, just that I should have a talk with him about his bad decisions.
I brought Gary home we didn‘t talk much on the way home, as soon he got into the house he immediately called Billy Diamond, and I heard him say to Billy “you lucky dog when I saw you jump out of that car I tried to jump too but he speeded up and I couldn’t jump” it seems that Billy jumped out of the car in Humeville when the police were chasing them, and no one saw him so he just walked home. That was Gary’s experience with a stolen car. If that was his only one I don’t know.
More to be added
Monday, July 21, 2008
Gary And His Brothers In The Scouts
This is a picture of the boys and me in the scouts.
Left to right, Gary, Jack, Me, and Craig.
Gary was in the cub scouts, he didn't take to well to the scouts and told us he would rather not be in the scouts. I think Craig and Jack made Star and Life Rank. We had a good time in the scouts. We belonged to troop #44 in Newportville sponsored by the Newportville United Church of Christ.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
LISA'S MEMORIES OF UNCLE GARY
Before Lisa moved to Indiana she lived across the street from Gary.
Lisa is Gary's brother Jack's daughter
My memories of Uncle Gary are few-and-far-between because we moved so far away when I was so young. But he was my uncle, and the impression he made on me at such a young age makes the memories I have of him very fresh. It's really hard to believe that he's gone, that I'll never get a chance to see him again, or to introduce him to my little girl. He and Joel got along so well when they met, and I'm so sad they didn't have a chance to get better acquainted. Going to his funeral was the most horrible thing I've ever had to go to (and hopefully it's the worst thing from here on out). However, I have to remind myself that Uncle Gary is happy now, and I'm sure he wants everyone else to be happy too.
Here are a few of the memories I have of Uncle Gary.
He bought me an anatomically correct BOY doll on accident one Christmas! So he took it back and bought me my very first Barbie (to my mom's disapproval).
He dressed up as Santa and came over to our house one year (my dad has a picture somewhere, I think). I wasn't fooled, though, and gave him a big "hi, Uncle Gary!" He was pretty disappointed!
I was the flower girl in his wedding. Uncle Gary had a moustache back then. No matter how many years after he shaved it off, he just never looked right to me without it (even to this day!).
Uncle Gary gave us motorcycle rides in my backyard on Lewisville Avenue when we were little. I'll never forget watching him pop a wheelie with Stephen on the front!
He bought the best, most expensive, most illegal fireworks. He introduced me to the joy of parachutes. They'll always be my favorite fireworks. I'll never forget collecting as many as I could. I had a pink one and an orange one hanging in my closet in Pennsylvania until we moved.
He came to visit us in Indiana once. He bought fireworks and set them off in our backyard (and we lived next to an ex-police officer, no less).
We also played Wheel of Fortune while he visited. And of course, he cheated the ENTIRE time, even when I finally figured it out! I was only 10! I remember Nana telling us she had to put duct tape on her Rummikub set because Uncle Gary could see the numbers through the tiles.
He called one year to ask me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him I wanted a Barbie, not knowing that my mom had already told Aunt Sharon to get me a paint set. Guess what…Uncle Gary sent me both!
I remember visiting his house in Delaware. Uncle Gary made sure I got to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit, even though I wasn't allowed to. I was pretty grateful for that.
I also remember riding in his black Mustang. It felt like a spaceship.
Joel and I visited during our honeymoon. Uncle Gary took us out to a few different places, but he made sure Joel got to see an alligator, which was very cool. Joel enjoyed visiting with Uncle Gary and seeing all his fun toys. We had so much fun with Joshua, too. There was definitely a special bond between Joshua and Uncle Gary
Lisa is Gary's brother Jack's daughter
My memories of Uncle Gary are few-and-far-between because we moved so far away when I was so young. But he was my uncle, and the impression he made on me at such a young age makes the memories I have of him very fresh. It's really hard to believe that he's gone, that I'll never get a chance to see him again, or to introduce him to my little girl. He and Joel got along so well when they met, and I'm so sad they didn't have a chance to get better acquainted. Going to his funeral was the most horrible thing I've ever had to go to (and hopefully it's the worst thing from here on out). However, I have to remind myself that Uncle Gary is happy now, and I'm sure he wants everyone else to be happy too.
Here are a few of the memories I have of Uncle Gary.
He bought me an anatomically correct BOY doll on accident one Christmas! So he took it back and bought me my very first Barbie (to my mom's disapproval).
He dressed up as Santa and came over to our house one year (my dad has a picture somewhere, I think). I wasn't fooled, though, and gave him a big "hi, Uncle Gary!" He was pretty disappointed!I was the flower girl in his wedding. Uncle Gary had a moustache back then. No matter how many years after he shaved it off, he just never looked right to me without it (even to this day!).
Uncle Gary gave us motorcycle rides in my backyard on Lewisville Avenue when we were little. I'll never forget watching him pop a wheelie with Stephen on the front!
He bought the best, most expensive, most illegal fireworks. He introduced me to the joy of parachutes. They'll always be my favorite fireworks. I'll never forget collecting as many as I could. I had a pink one and an orange one hanging in my closet in Pennsylvania until we moved.
He came to visit us in Indiana once. He bought fireworks and set them off in our backyard (and we lived next to an ex-police officer, no less).
We also played Wheel of Fortune while he visited. And of course, he cheated the ENTIRE time, even when I finally figured it out! I was only 10! I remember Nana telling us she had to put duct tape on her Rummikub set because Uncle Gary could see the numbers through the tiles.
He called one year to ask me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him I wanted a Barbie, not knowing that my mom had already told Aunt Sharon to get me a paint set. Guess what…Uncle Gary sent me both!
I remember visiting his house in Delaware. Uncle Gary made sure I got to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit, even though I wasn't allowed to. I was pretty grateful for that.
I also remember riding in his black Mustang. It felt like a spaceship.
Joel and I visited during our honeymoon. Uncle Gary took us out to a few different places, but he made sure Joel got to see an alligator, which was very cool. Joel enjoyed visiting with Uncle Gary and seeing all his fun toys. We had so much fun with Joshua, too. There was definitely a special bond between Joshua and Uncle Gary
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