Gary Heery

Gary loved life, his wife, his family and friends, God, his Country and all animals. He was the neighbor that was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was the loving soul that stopped to help an injured animal. Gary was vibrant, full of life with sparkling eyes and always a quick smile.

Gary and his “sweetie,” Joan “Lauren” were together for 33 amazing years and married for 27 years. Truly soulmates and best friends they were like newlyweds, always smiling, laughing, holding hands and of course, kissing. They were devoted to each other like no other couple. When you saw one, you saw the other. Gary recently wrote, “We are two hearts joined together in love with each other. I thank God to be joined in love with you.” A true love story. They got married on Halloween in full costume at 12:15am Halloween morning in the front yard cemetery of their home where they brought joy to thousands of families from all over the world at their Haunted House. Encouraged by all to charge for the fun, Gary opted for donations that they matched for the Police Department K-9 unit and for a park that took in abused and abandoned animals. Always helping others and never thinking of himself.

Gary also brought tremendous joy to others by being Santa at Christmas “to kids from one to ninety-two.” Whether it was an only child, or a neighborhood of children, or the cancer patients that needed a gift of joy and hope, Gary was eager to make others happy. He would often wish someone a “sparkling day” just to make them smile.

Gary loved cars, motorcycles, boating, fishing, anything fun. But at the same time, Gary enjoyed a quiet time in the woods up north with the deer or on the lanai watching the manatee and birds…nature in all of its glory! Gary rescued six newborn kittens on the hottest day in August. Three of the kittens survived and they became Gary’s and his bride’s children. Everyone knew Pip, Pop and Pumpkin. They traveled everywhere with them by car and of course, Gary spoiled them and gave them the best lives imaginable. He also gave a good home to a baby Great Blue Heron, Felix, that was stranded on a main highway. He stopped traffic and put him in his new company vehicle and brought him home until he found a wildlife rehabber who eventually released him to start his new life. There was also a goose that adopted Gary and the 23 guinea hens and rooster that filled the days and nights with simple and comical adventures. He also enjoyed the weekly monitoring of local eagle nests and volunteering for the FL Audubon Society Eagle Watch program.

Another love of Gary’s was music! Any music. Country, Gospel, Rock, Oldies…ANYTHING! Although he would also say, “But NOT Rap!” A HUGE Elvis fan, Gary won first place in an Elvis contest years ago. He now gets to meet Elvis and will surely say, “Thank ya, thank ya very much!” He might even get to do a duet with Elvis singing, “How Great Thou Art” and “American Trilogy” and “If I Can Dream.” Loving music so much, Gary and his wife, enjoyed going to karaoke and having a great time there with friends. Of course, Gary would usually clown around and combine singing with laughter. He just brought happiness and such a good feeling wherever he went.

Now that Gary has gone onto his next Journey with the Lord, he leaves behind his loving wife, Joan “Lauren”; his three children, daughter Jessica Hercz and her husband, Ronie of California; son Justin Heery from Georgia with Gary’s two Grandsons that he adores, Damien and Blake; daughter Jaclyn Heery from Georgia; his brother Dennis Heery and his wife, Mary, from Florida; his step-sister Millie Pryce and her husband, Rick from Florida; his half-sister JoEllen Heery from Florida; cousins, nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.

Gary was happy no matter where he was, who he was with or what the situation was. He always said, “Life is a precious gift.” And he is a precious gift to us. Gary’s love of life, God, family, friends and Country cannot be measured in words. His voice, laughter, knowledge, compassion and twinkling eyes will be missed beyond words. There will NEVER be another man, another human being, like him. Heaven is Blessed with him now while our hearts are in pain. Until we are together again, Gary, you are forever in our hearts. We love you…