Gary S. Resnick

Gary S. Resnick, 88, a longtime resident of Verona, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026. Known by some as Beaks, Uncle Gary, Dad, Ol’ Sarge, and (perhaps his favorite) Papa – Gary left us after a life well lived.

He is survived by the love of his life, Sharon (nee Wolff), his wife of 62 years, along with children Rick (Carolyn) and Sandy, granddaughters Emma (Ben) and Olivia, big brother Harris Resnick, plus many cherished cousins and beloved nieces and nephews.

Born to Frank and Rose (nee Wiegler), Gary grew up in Newark and Irvington, graduating from Weequahic High School and Upsala College, working full-time to pay for school. In the early 1960s, he began a career in insurance that would last more than 55 years. He went from sales to management and made countless great friends along the way.

As a member of the N.J. Air National Guard, he was called up to active duty in the U.S. Air Force (due to the Berlin Wall Crisis) on October 1, 1961. On that same day, visiting his cousin Pemmy, he met Sharon. Within a week, Sergeant Resnick was stationed at Chaumont Air Base in France. By that time, he and Sharon were officially in love and unofficially engaged.

The happy couple moved from Bloomfield to Verona in 1970, made many more wonderful friends, and raised their two kids. Gary served as president of the Verona Jaycees and even ran for town council. In his later years, he relished being an invited guest in the town’s Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day celebrations.

Gary’s interests included sports, especially if the Yankees, Rangers, or Giants were playing well.

He was naturally gifted in music, playing several instruments by ear, singing to his young children at night, and leading family sing-alongs. He was also a math whiz and noted for his particularly corny jokes. He had a sharp sense of humor, the gift of the gab, and as one friend recalls, “always brought a smile to any meeting, gathering, or conversation.”

His granddaughters were a particular source of joy and pride. To Papa, they could do no wrong.

He was an exemplary role model as a father, husband, and man. Surprisingly progressive, Gary was pushing baby carriages and giving bottles well before it was cool for men to do so. He never missed Rick’s sporting events or Sandy’s music recitals. He was a dad for all seasons.

Given a terrible health prognosis in Nov. 2022, he bravely submitted to every poke, prod, and treatment suggested by his wonderful team of doctors – and ended up with nearly 3 ½ “bonus years.” He wasn’t quite ready to leave the family he loved so much, and who loved him back even more.