Gary Michael Powers

Gary was born in Sacramento, CA to Joseph and Eunice (Diamond) Powers on March 10, 1956. As the proud son of an Air Force officer, Gary attended schools in Shertz, TX; West Springfield, MA; Colorado Springs, CO and East Longmeadow, MA graduating in 1974 from East Longmeadow High School. Gary was a natural stage performer, starring as Argan the hypochondriac in the 8th Grade production of Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid. In his senior year Gary starred as Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey and co-hosted the annual talent show Spartanum Spectaculum ’74.

Gary was always there when there was a pick-up football, baseball or street hockey game at Mapleshade School in East Longmeadow. He was well-loved by his friends from East Longmeadow, then and across the years.

After receiving his economics degree from the University of Rochester in 1978, Gary worked in Washington DC before earning his MBA from the University of Notre Dame in 1982. During his first stint in DC, Gary made the time to look after younger brother Craig while he was a midshipman at the US Naval Academy. After Notre Dame, Gary continued his career in Washington D.C., where he met Karen Wilkin, whom he married in 1980. Ever a staunch patriot, he volunteered for various RNC candidates and served as an election judge.

Gary received many professional awards, but his proudest achievements were his children and grandchildren. From helping one daughter win Girl Scout cookie sales awards, to attending his sons’ countless hockey games, to packing picnics for Sundays at historic battlefields and mountain tops– Gary’s true hobby was his spending time with his children. He worked long hours to send all seven of his children to Seton School for invaluable, faith-forming educations. He enjoyed sharing his many interests with his children– classical music, philosophy, history, hockey, and the right way to make baked macaroni & cheese.

Gary loved his brothers, whether it was teaching calculus to 8th grader Craig, or sharing a monthly dinner with David at Mission BBQ, perhaps not solving all of the world’s problems, but confirming a lifetime of love over brisket and pulled pork.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents and older brother David, and survived by his wife Karen; his seven children: Emily, Alex, Claire, Joey, Jimmy, Frances, and Lily; his brother Craig; his nephews Cody, Erik, and Brad and nieces Ellen, Suzie, and Sarah; and fourteen grandchildren, and beloved cousins.

Gary’s family will be welcoming friends on Thursday, April 9th from 5-7 pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151. The funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 10th at 11am at St. Raymond of Penafort Roman Catholic Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA 22153. Burial will follow at Lakemont Memorial Gardens at 900 W Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to Seton School or Holy Family Academy, both in Manassas, VA.