Born on November 3, 1955, Gary’s first abode was at a Dan Lane apartment in Atlanta, Georgia but moved with his family to a home in Erie Pennsylvania when three weeks old, then back to Atlanta for a month when he was about six months old and then off to Kinston, North Carolina until he was finally a year old. Then, he was moved again to San Angelo,Texas. This is where he learned to walk (and catch horned toad lizards with his brother Doug). After about nine months in San Angelo, he was on the road again to Waco, Texas for five months and then after a Christmas visit in Atlanta, it was off to Peru (near Plattsburg), New York. Gary remained here until he was three and a half. He had learned to ice skate, sled and hold his on with his brother Doug. His next move was to Erie, Pennsylvania where his younger brother Greg was born. Gary’s schooling started in Erie but it was in Scotia (nearSchenectady), New York that he attended grade school. The family then moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts where Gary attended Masconomet High School.
In high school, Gary was well liked and had many friends. One teacher described him as “gregarious” and he had a great sense of humor. He also played on the high school baseball team as a pitcher. He met Darlene E. Luz in his freshman year and they began dating a year later. They were married in 1972 and Gary Judd McClellan Jr. was born in 1973. They moved to Beverly, Ma where Gary worked for New England Telephone, currently Verizon. After 3 years, he joined the Army and chose military police work. The family moved to Leesville, LA where Gary was a military police officer who patrolled the base on motorcycles which he loved. After completing his 3 years in the military, the family moved to Salem, NH and Gary resumed working at Verizon. Unfortunately and sadly, the marriage did not work and Gary and Darlene remained friends. Gary was always very active in both of his children’s lives and was a “Great Dad.”
After the divorce, Gary enjoyed skiing with his father, brothers and brought up his children to be avid skiers as well. He could be found on the slopes with his kids nearly every other winter weekend in the various ski areas of NH, and their summer vacations were spent in Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Lake Winnipesaukee.As his two children grew older and started their own families, Gary enjoyed traveling to various islands in the Caribbean, which included Aruba, Cancun, Puerto Rico and Turks & Caicos to be among his favorites. When his son and daughter were later stationed in the Navy on Oahu, Hawaii, he visited them as often as possible where they all had years of fun times and great memories on the island.
When not traveling, Gary was active in AA and frequently seen working out and socializing at the gym.When the weather was nice, he enjoyed riding his Harley to visit his brothers and mother on the weekends.His neighbors and co-workers described him as an easygoing, sociable, and just all around nice guy. He would shovel your driveway, help carry in groceries, and enjoyed conversing with all who came in contact with him.He lived a full, meaningful life and treasured each visit with his children and grandchildren as a precious gift.He was an inspiring man that his entire family was blessed to have, and will forever remain in our hearts and memories.