Obituary of Gary Wilbur Stewart

Age 72, passed away at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Gary was born in Wellsboro PA, son of the late Wilbur J. and Eleanor (Beebe) Stewart. He is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Emma Jane (Decker) Stewart; son and daughter-in-law Zachary G. and Sarah Stewart of Elmira with son Owen; daughter and son-in-law Lorraine E. and Scott Packard of Horseheads with children Abigail, Aaron and Olivia; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Richard Kelsey of Elmira; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wilbur and Ellen Stewart of Smithfield TX, Dale and Carol Stewart of Colorado Springs CO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Steven and Rebecca Decker of Cottontown TN, Susan and Leon VanAlstine of Elmira NY, George and Carolyn Decker of Charlotte NC, Michael and Christel Decker of Elmira, Timothy Decker and Lawrence Huntley of Palm Desert CA; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Gary was proud that he started school in a one room school house before finishing his elementary education at Beecher School. He was a graduate of Southside High School. Gary was honored to serve his country as a Staff Sargent in the U S Air Force during the Vietnam era. He was a Photographic Tech and worked on photographic equipment that was affixed to bombers and fighter planes. Gary worked for a variety of transportation companies before going to work for the New York State DOT from where he retired. His passion was spending time with his family. Gary spent countless hours cheering on his grandchildren at baseball, softball and basketball games, track meets, karate tournaments, wrestling matches and music concerts. He always enjoyed the annual Veterans Day Celebration with his grandchildren at Center Street School in Horseheads. Gary enjoyed hunting, camping, 4 wheeling and working on classic cars. He had a contagious laugh and found humor in most situations. Gary was always tinkering and fixing something. He was more than willing to help anyone with a project. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water St. Elmira, on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Military honors will be accorded to Gary after the funeral service. Private burial will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The Stewart family would like to extend their sincere thanks to family friend and caregiver Adrian Gonzalez, the staff at the Falck Cancer Center and staff at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center for their loving care and support over the last several months. Those wishing may remember Gary with a donation to the Falck Cancer Center, 600 Roe Ave., Elmira NY 14905.