Catskill – Gary Mears passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. He was 75 years old.

Born, March 27, 1949 in Old Town, Maine, he was the son of the late Joseph Mears and the late Roasalie Daigle Kordek. A combat veteran of Vietnam; he proudly served in the US Marines from 1968 until 1969, where he was awarded a Purple Heart with 1 bronze star. He married his wife of 54 years, the former Linda Chamberland, on July 13, 1970.

They lived in Bristol, CT for more than 20 years where Gary worked for ACME Rivet and Screw. In 1993, Gary and Linda, following the Lord's leading, left Connecticut and moved to New York to work at a friend's business, Pro Printers in Hudson, NY. In 1994, they purchased 6.5 acres of property in Catskill next to his close friend, Frank. Gary cleared an acre of that land. They put their home on that acre in 1998 and have lived there ever since. He loved the peaceful setting in the woods and was blessed to be in that home until his passing.

He has served as a church elder for 50 years, first in Connecticut and then in New York.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two daughters, Shannon Mears Bentz and her husband Joe of Windermere, FL and Tracy Mears Geskie and her husband James of Landisville, PA; five grandchildren, Joseph Bentz, Joshua Geskie, Benjamin Geskie, Mattie Geskie and Samantha Geskie; and by his sister, Carolyn LaForge of North Carolina. He was pre-deceased by his brother, David Mears.

A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Fountian of Life Church, 71 Old Kings Highway, Lake Katrine, NY. Cremation was private and under the direction of Buono Funeral Service, Inc. Please offer your condolences for Gary and his family online at www.BuonoFuneralService.com .