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We are very sad and shocked to learn that Gary passed away from cancer in June of 2016. We had been in contact with Gary just before our 45th Reunion in September of 2015, when he wrote:
"Sorry Herb – I can’t make it this year – too much going on with my business.
Say hello to all.
Thanks, Gary"
Gary was a great friend to many in our class and will be deeply missed.
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Gary Robert McDowell-McGough
May 11, 1952 - June 24, 2016
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Gary grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his loving parents Bob and Betty McGough, a WWII British war bride, alongside his sister Carole. While he was involved in several activities growing up, including theater, and student body president, he was most passionate about the Boy Scouts. He became an Eagle Scout, spending summers at Philmont and eventually becoming a well-loved Scout Master.
In 1974 Gary graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Business. He was a proud member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and joined ROTC going on to serve in the Army Finance Corp.
Gary began his professional career at Procter and Gamble, in Pittsburgh, where he met his wife of 35 years, Debbie.
Together, in 1978, they moved to the Pacific Northwest, lured by its beauty and the promise of adventures in the great outdoors. Gary loved hiking and camping and running. He joined Sales and Engineering Associates later becoming its president.
In 1990, Gary and Debbie built a home in Bellevue, and soon after welcomed daughters Meghan and Sarah. Gary was so proud of them and we are grateful he lived to see them grow into happy successful young women.
In 2006 Gary found his true calling as a financial advisor, starting at Smith Barney, and then happily settling at Wells Fargo. There he found a partner, Patrick Healey, who shared his work ethic, ideals and trustworthiness.
A passion for gardening led him to serve as a volunteer for the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, logging 466 hours beginning in 2012. Gary served as a board member and co-president, making many new friends who shared his love for getting dirty in the garden and being happy when it rained.
When not gardening, Gary loved spending time with family and friends. Highlights included a gourmet club, the “Annual Fall Leaf Trip” east of the Cascade Mountains, an annual New Year’s Eve party on Bainbridge Island, and Memorial Weekend on San Juan Island. Gary was a voracious reader, both fiction and nonfiction. He especially loved John Irving, Richard Ford, Richard Russo and Mark Helprin.
Gary will be remembered as a loving husband and father. Gary had strong moral character, a man his family leaned on for strength and guidance. He was a wonderful mentor to his daughters, the back bone of his family. As a friend, Gary was unfailingly kind, loyal and trustworthy. Professionally, he was known as a hard worker and a natural leader. He will be greatly missed. |
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Martin Falb
Gary and I were close friends early on when we attended Eastmont elementary school together. Since I moved far away from Pittsburgh during my college years, imagine my surprise when I ran into Gary in a doctor's office in Richland, Washington, many years later when I was visiting my parents who had moved out there when my dad transferred to Hanford with Westinghouse. He was very happy and excited to meet someone he knew from back home, and we promised to keep in touch, but I moved down to Florida to attend graduate school and lost contact. He was one of the kindest souls I have ever met, and know that his family will miss him greatly, as will his Churchill family as well. Rest in Peace, my friend.....Marty Falb
Carol Brunner (Wilson)
Rest in Peace Gary, and my sincere sympathies to your family.
Carol Brunner (Wilson)
Lucy Pizzuti (Gribbin)
It was very sad to hear of Gary's passing. He was a great guy! A very genuine person. My heartfelt sympathy to his wife and daughters. Rest in peace, Gary.
Sue Phares (Bergstrom)
I'm still in shock since reading this news last night. Gary was always larger than life in my mind, truly the BEST of the best. His broad smile and friendly spirit lit up a room. I feel so blessed to have known him and pray for comfort for his family. The trail of wonderful memories is a gift to us all.
Gary Stewart
I am saddened to hear this. I feel so glat that I had a chance to sit down and talk with Gary 6 years ago at our 40th reunion in Oakland. Rest in Peace, Gary. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Gary McGough.
Amy Lombardo
Sad to hear of Gary's passing. I remember him as a kind and thoughtful person.Jim Ambrose
I was very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Thoughts and prayers to his family. His memorial phots capture what I most remeber of Gary, his broad and engaging smile and personality. Rest in peace Gary.
Rita Schaltenbrand (Onderick)
This saddens me... I remember Gary's platform when he was running for Student Council:
"GM Mark Of Excellence". May his family and friends have comfort and peace in shared memories.
Richard Davis
Like all of you I was heartbroken to hear the belated news about Gary. It had been a while since we communicated and so I had no idea he had been sick. I want to echo what all of you have said -- Gary was one of the nicest and well liked of all our classmates. What a guy...liked by guys and girls alike with that smile that lit up the room. And a personality that was one that made anyone comfortable to be around him. I sure wish I had gotten a chance to see and spend some more time with him in the last couple of years. I suspect many of you feel the same way.
Rick Davis
Pat Iovino (Wittlinger)
Truly saddened to hear this news. Fellow classmates and friends have said it well.... my condolences to Gary's family. I am so glad we talked for a little while at the last reunion I attended... Gary was part of many good memories from our days at CAHS.