Gary Antilla

Gary Alan Antilla, also affectionately known as Papa to those that loved him most, Gary was born in Gary, Indiana to Lauri August and Lola Antilla. Raised in Ogden Dunes, Indiana, Gary graduated from Portage High School in 1967 after which he worked at US Steel just prior to attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 1970, he joined the US Navy where he served as a radar technician for four years before graduating from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After graduating in 1976, Gary moved to Plantation, Florida where he first met Carole, his future wife; sparks quickly flew and they spent the next 39 years walking through life together – loving every moment. In 1976, Gary also began his thirty-four year career at Motorola. Quickly rising through Motorola’s ranks from electrical engineer to Senior Director of Engineering, Gary ultimately retired from Motorola in 2011 while living in Columbia, Maryland. In retirement, he not only continued to hone his skills as a masterful radish sculpture artist and professional Wii bowler, but he also joined the River Wilderness Golf & Country Club where he would never consider his round of golf as a good walk spoiled. Though, his strongest links were his home, family, and friends. When not on the golf course, he could be found at home mowing the lawn or taking his boat out on the river. Whether it was entertaining friends with his wife Carole, building a dollhouse with his daughter Sara, racing remote control cars with his son Mark, or fixing the house with his grandson Jacob, Gary will be remembered for his love of family and friends. He is survived by his wonderful wife of 37 years, Carole Johnson Antilla, his mother Lola, his brothers Dennis (Carolyn), Jeff (Gail), and Keith, his children Mark (Kerry) and Sara (Stephen) Rosenthal, his grandchildren Jacob Rosenthal and Natasha Rosenthal, his sister-in-law Linda (Scott) Church, his brother-in-law Brad Johnson and wife Teresia McGinnis, and many loved nieces and nephews. He was, and forever will remain to everyone who knew him, a man of highest respect. Donations may be made to the Moffitt Cancer Center 12902 USF Magnolia Drive Tampa, FL 33612.