Gary D. Ganoe

August 6, 1946 - October 10, 2015

The family of Gary D. Ganoe, 69, is saddened to announce the unexpected passing of our loving husband, son, father, granddad, brother and uncle, on October 10th, 2015. Gary was born in Lansing, Michigan on August 6, 1946 and grew up in Jackson Tennessee, where he later graduated from Jackson High School. After high school, he enlisted in the US Air Force and started basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gary proudly served his country in such places as Iwo Jima, and while stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, he met his wife Carol. Later, he attended Greenfield Community College and worked for Digital Equipment Corp. in Westfield, for 20 years. He later retired from Sherwin Williams of West Springfield after 16 years. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Valley Church. Gary had an especially close relationship with his daughter and cherished time with his grandsons, Evan and Owen. They especially loved going to car shows. He always put his grandsons’ interests and needs first, and was a devoted second father. He was exceptionally involved with both Evan’s soccer and Owen’s hockey. Gary will be long remembered for his positive manner and smile, his laughter, strength, and support for his family. Gary is survived by his loving wife, of 46 years, Carol (Czupryna) Ganoe, his adoring daughter, Charissa Marie Ganoe and her partner Sean Reilly, his precious grandsons, Evan and Owen Duda, all of Easthampton, his mother, Marilyn (McCauley) Ganoe of Agawam, his brother, Howard Eugene Ganoe and wife Denise of Dresden, TN, his sisters-in-law, Theresa Picard and husband Alfred, and Anne Czupryna, all of Chicopee, and many nieces and nephews. Gary’s family will receive friends at the Kozikowski Funeral Home, 565 Front Street, Chicopee, on Thursday, October 15th, from 5 to 8 pm. Services celebrating Gary’s life will begin at the funeral home at 12:00 pm on Friday October 16, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 pm at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, 566 Front St., Chicopee. Rites of committal and burial with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street Agawam. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary’s name to The American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 the Nonotuck Valley Hockey Association (PO Box 67 Easthampton, MA 01027), or a charity of your choosing.