Obituary
Just sit right back and you will hear the tale of an amazing man!
Gary Tschantz was truly an amazing man who exuded light, kindness, goofiness and love. He had a way of listening, connecting and of making you laugh that made everyone he met love him.
Gary grew up in Canton, Ohio with his parents Jerry and Pat and his brothers Tom and Jim. He spent much of his childhood sled riding down dangerously large hills and cultivating a love of 60’s TV shows that has since been passed down to his granddaughter. At 17 he met the love of his life, Lisa who he spent the next 45 years with everyday in a truly amazing romance that showed both of his children what love looks like. They would ride bikes, walk, swim and laugh everyday for the next half a century.
Gary loved many things in life including the Minions, Country Wine, Gilligan’s Island and embarrassing T-Shirts but his true passion in life were his children. Nick and Sam were the light of his world and he would support them and be there for them every time that they would ever need him. He taught them how to fix things including showers, he went to every swim meet and Tae Kwan Do tournament and showed his love through small actions like watching for the bus from the 2nd floor of the house everyday so his little girl didn’t have to wait out at the bus stop. When Sam and Nick found their own spouses Dan and Kaily, he never treated them as anything less than his own Son and Daughter and both Dan and Kaily loved him like a father.
It would be absolutely impossible to explain what a good Papa he was to his three Granddaughters: Charley, Teddi and Holli. They received more love, quality time and smiles in a few short years than most grandchildren receive in 40 years. His ability to make everything from getting a vaccine to watching a Cocomelon seem like a hilarious fun activity is truly amazing. His wind the thumb trick, magic math fingers and silly stories will be passed down for generations.
Besides his family, Gary had many accomplishments in life including purchasing a Pig Farm, being the Dean of Walsh College for 20 years, serving one year as President of his Condo Board, visiting all 50 States, 40 countries, 5 Continents and 6 of the 7 Wonders of the World, crossing Wertz Avenue in the dark and he once saw a helicopter crash into the ocean. He loved Jim Beam, Cleveland Sports, Monk and M.A.S.H., living life to the fullest and his family.
Gary’s example of deep devotion and love for family, adventure, goofiness and kindness are a true light that can never be replaced and will never be forgotten by anyone that met him.
I am so sorry for your loss. I was a student of Gary's at Walsh and he inspired me to teach there after finishing my MBA. He was a remarkable person that touched so many - he will be greatly missed but lives on through all of the lives he impacted so positively. I hope your memories bring you some comfort during this difficult time.
No words can express the shock and loss you must be going through. Gary will live through the example of love that he nurtured. Know that you are being lifted up in love for peace & understanding.
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked closely with Gary at Walsh for many years.
I loved his sense of humor and enthusiasm.
I know he loved you all very much.
Jeannie DeFazio
What else can we say about Gary that hasn’t already been said. In our hearts we know you all have a Special Angel looking out for all of you!
Love
Cliff & Brenda Wilkinson
Gary has a way of just being awesome. Everyone was happy when Gary was around. My heart is broken for Lisa, Nick, Kaily, Sam and Dan and all of their family. We will always cherish every memory we have with Gare. He made something as silly as reading a dinner menu something fun for the kiddos when they were getting cranky. We will have many tributes to him as we live our day to day lives and he is thought about often. It is a blessing to have known Gary. We all loved him.
For the years that he ran our group trivia each Monday night, it was something we looked forward to all week.
We just saw Gary and Lisa a couple weeks ago. And we would see them nearly every day walking hand-in-hand along, A1A, true role models of a healthy, devoted life style.
Our deepest condolences to the family.
Debbie & Brian Quick
While I wish I could have said goodbye in person, I am comforted that, in his last moments, he was holding Lisa's hand. If you could ask him, I am certain he would say that being with her when he left us was exactly what he would have wanted.
We miss Gare, and are praying for strength and comfort for Lisa, Nick and Sam, and the grandkids.
Goodbye, Gare.
"And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
--Dave
Jerry, Pat, Tom, Gary and Jim 2018 at Jessica's high school graduation party.
This captures so much joy!
Gary at Jim's Wedding 1993
What a great photo of such a wonderful man!
Jerry, Pat, Tom, Gary and Jim 1993.
Such a fabulous photo of you all at Jim's Wedding
Gary is the middle child. He once rode all the way to Strasburg OH with his high school friends.
He was all that and so much more. I wish all of you peace in the days ahead.
Love,
John & Theanna Orr