Gary Otto Tino

They had 6 children: Steve (Debbie) Tino, Sherri (Gregg) Steigerwalt, Gary (Donna) Tino, David Tino, Richard Tino, Sharma (John) Ennis; Daughter-in-law Denise (Dan)Sleep. 21 grandchildren: Sarah, Josh (CaSandra); Sasha (Jeff), Krista (Gareth); Leah (Mark), Katie (Andrew), Gary (Arielle); Zachary, Faith; Justin, Samantha, Alexis, Tessa (Will), Evan; Amanda, Stephen (Lexi), Joseph, Megan, Michael, Thomas, James; and 21 great grandchildren.

Gary was the 3rd of 5 sons born to Otto and Edna Tino. He grew up in Troy on the property that is now known as White Chapel Cemetery with his brothers Hubert, Vernon, Dennis and Dale. Gary met his future wife Catherine, at the age of 12, after his brother Vernon married Catherine’s sister Carolyn.

The country boy from Troy married the city girl from Royal Oak on September 25, 1954. They lived in Rochester before moving to Highland in 1970. There they had an 80 acre horse farm and years later developed the acreage into a small neighborhood and called it Hickory Hills Farms, naming the road after his bride, Catherine Anne.

Gary worked for Ford Motor Company as a Proficient Engineer for most of his career. He retired from Ford and became a consultant at Inter Lakes before retiring in the early 90's.

Gary loved music and played trombone in high school, for the Army National Guard, in the church brass choir, and most recently with the Livingston County Orchestra Band up until last year.

Gary was an honest man full of integrity and Christian faith which guided his thoughts, words and actions. He was an exemplary husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. Gary led by example, inspiring all of us to be the best people we could be. He loved to golf, hunt and fish. He was always cracking dry jokes then laughing at them before anyone else could. He and Catherine went on multiple adventures, many of them with their siblings and in their RV. They went to Hawaii, an Alaskan cruise, followed the Lewis and Clark trail, boarded the Mississippi Riverboat, vacationed in Florida, enjoyed family vacations in Prudenville at the cabin his father built and multiple trips to Mackinac Island, His love for Catherine was apparent to everyone who knew them. It was a moving experience to watch them glide across the dance floor. He loved driving the two of them around their property on his golf cart, and sitting on the deck while listening to favorite songs from their early years. Watching them live out their love story was a beautiful gift to all who knew them. He will be dearly missed but warmly remembered by every life he touched. We are all better for having known him.

The Funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 22, 2026 at the Highland Chapel of the Elton Black and Son Funeral Home, 3295 East Highland Rd., Highland, MI 48356 with a luncheon following at Faith Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 21, 2026 and from 9:00 am until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 22, 2026 at White Chapel Cemetery.