| About |
Gary died in his sleep having chose experimental full body radiation treatment for cancer that had metastasized over his body. This illness only became know to me his brother when he called me to meet him at an oncology clinic in St. Augustine a few months before he died. He had cheated death once when his navigator vehicle collided with a North Bound AMTRAK near his bar in Satsuma, Florida, a true miracle in 2014. He was life flighted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville in that event. He lived at what seem the happiest times of his life at a his home on the St. Johns River by his bar, Hermits Cove Marina. I put his ashes in the river behind his property witnessed by approximately 100 grieving bar patrons. I am supposing the cancer may have started from his smoking for several years and then working in a smoke filled bar even after quitting several years several years before his death. Gary was extremely private and only visited family once or twice a year for a holiday. I think he lettered in cross country track at TP.. I know he played football from a photo I have, He also played basket ball at Bruce Park and Little League there as well. As I moved away with service after my graduating TP in 1963, I know little of his high school years. My brother, Robert (Bob) tells me he knew little of his HS days either. I had visited him several times over the years at his bar in Satsuma. He left the bar to a lady that worked for him and even acted as a caretaker in his last months. The bar became to much for her and she sold to another friend of Gary's. His bar still exist with some artifacts he placed in it. It's now called Gnarly Bar and has a Facebook page. I recommend the adventure of a visit to this gorgeous riverfront hideaway location and visit with the locals, share a memory of Gary, and lift a toast to a schoolmate. |
