Another fallen hero. All of us that knew Gary from our St Joan of Arc days, remember him as one of the linemen on the football team. Off the field, this man always had a smile on his face and full of laughter. After graduation, Gary went into the service and in combat he sustained a rifle shot to the skull. He spent two years in a Vetrans hospital and finally returning to the house where he grew up on a Chalon. His father had passed away so it was just his mother there. Once she passed away he wasn't quite sure where he wanted to live, so he moved around, finally settling in mission Texas. He took on a job doing maintenance at a mobile home park. He lived and worked there until September of 2019, where a heart attack took his life.
Through the years, I wrote him letters and we joked back and forth about our days in grade school. I believe I was his last contact from our class.
Now we say good bye to yet another classmate from the class of 1960, hoping he has found eternal peace and thanking this fine young man for his service to our country. Rest In Peace
I am so sorry to hear of Garys passing. He was such a happy go lucky guy. I had a crush on him in grade school. I took him to a dance at Burning tree golf club. May he rest in peace. Thank you for your service Gary. Sincerely, Carol Grenier/Shortland
You are all quite wonderful to write about Gary and to remember him fondly. Age and COVID sometimes make me feel as if everything is going "Grey Gardens" on us, but when I remember friends and when I read and feel their fond memories, I remember how passionately real we were and still are.
I am proud to have been part of the class of 1960.
James (Vinny) Taormina '60 (1960)
Another fallen hero. All of us that knew Gary from our St Joan of Arc days, remember him as one of the linemen on the football team. Off the field, this man always had a smile on his face and full of laughter. After graduation, Gary went into the service and in combat he sustained a rifle shot to the skull. He spent two years in a Vetrans hospital and finally returning to the house where he grew up on a Chalon. His father had passed away so it was just his mother there. Once she passed away he wasn't quite sure where he wanted to live, so he moved around, finally settling in mission Texas. He took on a job doing maintenance at a mobile home park. He lived and worked there until September of 2019, where a heart attack took his life.
Through the years, I wrote him letters and we joked back and forth about our days in grade school. I believe I was his last contact from our class.
Now we say good bye to yet another classmate from the class of 1960, hoping he has found eternal peace and thanking this fine young man for his service to our country. Rest In Peace
Jim Taormina '60
Carol Greiner '60 (Shortland) (1960)
I am so sorry to hear of Garys passing. He was such a happy go lucky guy. I had a crush on him in grade school. I took him to a dance at Burning tree golf club. May he rest in peace. Thank you for your service Gary. Sincerely, Carol Grenier/Shortland
Janis Giles '60 (Bilicki) (1960)
So sorry to hear about Gary. I have fond memories of him during our grade schoolyears.
Paul Winkworth '60 (1960)
You are all quite wonderful to write about Gary and to remember him fondly. Age and COVID sometimes make me feel as if everything is going "Grey Gardens" on us, but when I remember friends and when I read and feel their fond memories, I remember how passionately real we were and still are.
I am proud to have been part of the class of 1960.