I was drawn to this handsome faces, beautiful blue eyes. I’ve known him all my life. Gareth had a good sense of humour, he was equipped with a fun remark. It makes for people that were well known – called Frank Sinatra, Frank sinister and he used to refer to the program of young and the restless’ as the “dumb and the useless”.
He also was a very romantic man and he bought me carnations every other week because that was my favourite flower and he was a hard-working man. He worked as an auto mechanic ever since he was 14. And he continued to do so until he was 62. For a while Gary and I did some wonderful things. Together we took vacations. Together we used to be a race car driver, when he was younger.
I have to say I was happy he wasn’t doing it anymore but in spite of that Gary and I went to see his brother driving race at Lebanon Valley in New York State and then afterwards we often went to Donny a man’s house for a little meal afterwards. And we missed that – and Gary when we got married made it very clear to me that he didn’t like to call me, didn’t want to stay in New York State, wanted to move to Florida. So in 2014, we bought a mobile home in Bradenton, Tropical Palm, and we made some great friends out here, including our church, family.
They had great River Presbyterian Church here. Our modest home is located across the community pool. Louie purposely bought that one because Gavin and I both were the avid swimmers. In fact, when Karen was in high school, he was not as swift and then he had to leave the swim team because he pumped his eardrum with water. But I guess that had a good part to it too because they came to be matter at the military because they wouldn’t take him, because he got a damaged ear.
However, we went swimming regularly in the community pool and now I go by myself and at least have some friends who sometimes go with me. Gary would often go with his son Joey and he was so surprised and happy when Joey showed up at his door on carries. Joey knew that he had cancer and he surprised and Harry was absolutely shocked, and while we were married Karen joined a lawman’s bowling league and he went bowling on the days when I went for music lessons. So we had our shared interest, shared income, and we also did things on our own.
Ironically we took voice lessons with former national opera singer Carol Sparrow who with her husband, Randy lockable will perform for us today. And we’re very honoured and I have to state that Gary brought out the best in me. He was really an optimist and whenever I wanted to give up, wanting to give up my study, he would say that you can’t give up Gene, it’s too much going for you and I am studying medical transcription editing and I hope to graduate and find work. I can do it all in the winter. I’m hoping for that.
In school, Gary and I were soulmate. He was my inspiration, my steadfast rock who helped me through thick and thin. I know it’s hard to believe but Gary and I never argued. I have to tell you it was a story that I’m digressing for a minute but I’m just thinking about the only time he ever had an argument, then this was before we got married. Somebody gave me a fragrance for my birthday and it was called Julie and he started yelling at me, “You’re wearing that Harmon chilli. How could you do that? If you do that I swear I won’t get married. And I said to him well I’m sorry someone just gave it to me for my birthday and I kind of throw it in the garbage so that’s what happened,” dad
I loved him so that I made it my mission to make Gary happy and I believe that I did accomplish that. You know nothing else is guaranteed in 2016 after he accidentally electrocuted himself.
The Christmas lights in December, 2016 we thought he had a heart attack when he was told yet a small cell lung cancer limited stage. You’ll likely to be said in terms of many other cancers but it is not necessarily the case when it comes to lung cancer. It was small cell lung cancer. The worst kind it’s a very nasty illness and even though Gary was treated with radiation and chemotherapy, he died suddenly on May 31st. On the very day that he was told this cancer was in remission. Gary is probably in heaven now but I know he’s looking down on us with the big smile on his face.
I’ll see you soon. Goodbye, my dear sweet husband…