Gary Bruce DeMaio

February 8, 1938 – September 18, 2019

Gary DeMaio of Upland, CA was 81 years old when he was called home into the arms of our Lord on September 18, 2019. Gary was born in San Bernardino, CA on February 8, 1938 to parents Perry and Norma, and had one brother Perry. He met the love of his life, soulmate, and wife of 63 years, Carole in the ninth grade, and upon seeing her for the first time, remarked to a friend, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Gary was a man of action, and Gary and Carole were married in 1956 and had two children, Gary and Christy, whom Gary loved dearly.

He worked hard to provide a great life for his family and retired from GTE in 1991 as an Area Superintendent for Maintenance Services. His work ethic also extended to the home. He kept a pristine yard, house, and could build anything with his hands.

Gary loved his cars and believed strongly in keeping a car well-maintained, gassed, and spotless. He was an avid fisherman and he spent many years camping, fishing, and hiking all throughout the Eastern Sierras with his family. When he made the long drive up the 395 he would remark that it was “God’s Country.” In his younger years, his hobbies included racing motorcycles with Gary and Christy, hunting, and boating at the river. In his later years, Gary found a passion for golf and treasured the time he spent out on the course with his family and friends. What Gary loved most of all was spending time with his family. He was a family man through and through and made his family his number one priority. He loved nothing more than having the whole family over for a meal followed by a spirited poker game and this of course, would be accompanied by his glass (or two) of red wine.

Gary brought life and light to any room and was an upbeat, positive, and endlessly kind person. He is most remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to anyone he met, or needed help.

Gary was a devout Catholic all his life and leaves behind the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Carole of 63 years. Gary’s legacy lives on through his son Gary DeMaio Jr. & his wife Debbie DeMaio, daughter Christy & her husband David Pomierski, grandchildren, Carrie & Chris Sotro, Stephanie & Jason Gray, Katie & David Rickaby, Karly & Colby Stone and great- grandchildren Gavin, Reid and Colton.

Gary was a great man. Special. One of a kind and will be sorely missed. He was the best of us, and his legacy is his example.

Celebration of life will be held on September 26th at 10:00AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Upland.

Obituary for Gary De Maio, 81 of Upland, CA. Born in San Bernardino on the 8th of February 1948, and passing into the arms of our Lord on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. Gary is often described as the “Perfect Man.” Gary lived a long and full life filled with his faith, the love of fishing, camping, hunting and anything that involved family and friends. He enjoyed his working years and retired from GTE in 1991 as an Area Superintendent for Maintenance Services.

Gary is most remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and friend to anyone he met, or anyone who needed help. Gary was a devout Catholic all his life and leaves behind the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Carole of 63 years. Gary’s legacy lives on through his son Gary DeMaio Jr. & his wife Debbie DeMaio, daughter Christy & her husband David Pomierski, grandchildren, Carrie & Chris Sotro, Stephanie & Jason Gray, Katie & David Rickaby, Karly & Colby Stone and grandchildren Gavin, Reid and Colton.

Celebration of life will be held on September 26th at 10:00AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Upland.