Obituary: Gary S. Vickory Sr.

(FROM RJ ROSS FUNERAL HOME)

Gary S. Vickory, Sr. (1935-2013)     

On Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, Gary Stephen Vickory Sr., 77, of Wrentham, died, with family by his side after a valiant and courageous battle to recover from a catastrophic stroke. He had fought bravely for several years with cancer, but it was ultimately the stroke that took him from us. 

Gary was born on Nov. 21, 1935 in Ramseur, NC, the son of the late Bynum Vickory and Alfreda (Yurkowicz) Vickory. He graduated Walpole High School and later received his degree from Bryant and Stratton Business School in Boston. Gary served his country willingly in the Korean Conflict.

In June 1962, Gary married Louise Hennessy and after first living for a short time in Norwood,  the two settled in Wrentham to raise their family. He was the proud owner of Wrentham Plaza Service Center in downtown Wrentham for many years before later working side by side with his wife, Louise, at the Plaza Inn Restaurant on Route 1 in Wrentham. Life would later take him to the FDIC in Braintree where he spent the last 22 years working right up to Feb. 5.

Gary had a great love and respect for the outdoors. He enjoyed salt-water fishing, bird-watching and caring for all animals, most especially his dogs. He enjoyed great Country Oldies and Gospel music. Some of his fondest memories were the times he spent fishing with his son, daughter and/or his mom, backyard badminton tournaments and times spent on the Rhode Island shore with his wife and children.

He was the heart and soul of his family. He was our quiet in the storm, the strength in our moments of weakness, our clarity when we became confused and our certainty when we were unsure.

Gary is survived by his wife of 50 years, Louise, his daughter Stephanie Pfieffer and her husband, Leo, of Wrentham,: his daughter, Leslie-jon Vickory, of Boston, and her dear friend, Kahlil Hamady: his daughter, Emily Fagiano and her husband, Mark, and his two beloved grandsons, Lawton and Thomas, of Peterborough, N.H.: his brother Bynum (Billy) Vickory and his wife Harriet (Honey) of Pinehurst, N.C.: his nephew, Lance Vickory, and his wife, Andrea, and daughter Elana of Montana: his niece Brooke Vickory of Raleigh, NC and a large circle of extended family and friends. Gary was predeceased by his son, Gary S. Vickory, Jr. in February 1997.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at The Trinity Episcopal Church on Route 140 in Wrentham at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Gary’s name to: 4 Paws Animal Shelter, Inc., PO Box 343, Wrentham, MA 02093