Obituary
Gary George Williamson, 75, of Howey-in-the-Hills, FL, passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2018. Gary was born on January 5, 1943 in Binghamton, NY. He was on the varsity football team at Vestal High School and graduated from there in 1960. He went on to graduate from State University of New York at Oswego in 1964, where he was an avid wrestler. After college, Gary taught Industrial Arts in Mexico, NY, for almost 20 years and stayed involved in wrestling as a coach and referee. While in college, he married Joyce and they had one son, Don. He also tried to find happiness with his second wife, Linda.
In 1983, Gary moved to Florida to be near his family. He married his forever wife, Jackie, in 1986. They lived and worked in Palm Beach County for 20 years, enjoying the South Florida lifestyle, especially boating. They bought a house on a canal off the Intracoastal Waterway so they’d have “a home for the boat”, a 34 foot sport fisherman appropriately named “Nest Egg” that they often took to the Bahamas.
Upon their retirement in 2003, Gary and Jackie wanted a quieter lifestyle, so they sold the boat and bought a house and 9 acres in quiet and peaceful Howey-in-the-Hills. They soon discovered the Mt. Dora Lawn Bowling Club and Gary found his sport for retirement. He became passionate about it, playing in and winning tournaments at the local, divisional and National levels. People loved to bowl on his team because he was so patient and encouraging. He was an umpire at the Mt. Dora club and a Councilor for the SE Division.
Gary also loved travelling. He and Jackie traveled extensively both in the US and abroad. He was also an excellent card player and he loved Pepper nights with Tom and Gail. Gary was a member of several community organizations, including the Elks, Moose and the Sons of the American Legion.
Gary’s illness began in January 2018. He was hospitalized with low hemoglobin and the testing began. In May, he was diagnosed with MDS – Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a cancer of the blood, and after consulting a doctor at the Bone Marrow Center at Shands Hospital, University of FL Gainesville, he began drug therapy/chemo. He was told it would take 4 rounds of treatment (4 months) to know if the treatment would work. Just as he completed the 4th round and it seemed that it might work, he developed sepsis, a staph infection in the bloodstream. He was hospitalized for 3 weeks while they treated the infection with antibiotics that affected his already low blood counts. He fought valiantly, he so wanted to get better, but he was fighting a losing battle.
Gary is predeceased by his parents, Donald and Zelda Williamson, and several beloved rescue dogs, Ginger, Scooter, and Beau. He is survived by his wife Jackie, son Don, brother Ron, nieces Michele and Megan, nephews Chip and Steve and several cousins.
Those who knew Gary know that he was a very private person so it should be no surprise that he requested privacy in death. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no public services, memorials or gatherings; the family will grieve in private.
Gary was above all a good man – kind, intelligent and soft-spoken. May he rest in peace.
Donations may be made in Gary’s memory to Cornerstone Hospice or the MDS Foundation.
Gary was a kindest man I knew. I will always remember his sweet smile. May you find comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Sompit, Randy and Toby
Dale and I were so saddened at the news of Gary’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you and all who mourn the loss of a man whose life was well, and truly, lived.
Interestingly, Gary and Jackie were the first "pairs" team my partner, Alice Dunkley and I faced at a tournament in Clearwater. Gary and Jackie easily bested us by about 10 shots that day-after my first match, Gary ever the gentlemen, but keeping his typical stoic demeanor shook my hand, quietly said "good match". Jackie said so as well...
I replied, " yeah Gary, fun match...but I added..."sorta of" with a very sad face....
I got him and Jackie to laugh.
Three years later, I had the privilege to bowl as lead with Gary playing skip at last years US Open in Sun City. It was a fun experience, and we held our own,
but the pairs team from N Ireland ousted us that day. I have very fond and special memories of bowling with Gary at the Open....
What a great guy...going to miss him seeing him...
Sending love, peace and prayers to his family....
Larry and Judy Hanks
Indian Rocks Beach, Fl.
Gary was always at bringing out the best of average players. I enjoyed two wins
with him as skip. Look at the big smile in the picture this year
Gary was a wonderful ambassador for our sport of lawn bowling. He will be missed.
I'm sorry the 4 of us never got to play Pepper together.
May all the good memories of your lives together give you strength and comfort.
Hans and Wilma Momkes
With deepest sympathy, Martha
Tom and Gail Heneghan
Gary was such a good and decent man. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself.
Nancy and Fred Cestare
We will miss Gary as the gentleman and as the excellent lawn bowler that he was. You always knew he could roll that last bowl and either save you or defeat you.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Cheers to the man whose eyes twinkled when he smiled and whose grilled crab legs were the best ever.
Gary will be missed by all of us.
Prayers to you both and to the entire Williamson family.
May Gary finally rest in peace.
Linda Balducci
Gary was a delight to bowl with or against. We will all miss him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sue