Papa, I miss you so much! I think of you every minute of the day! Life without you is so tough. Remember the song we used to sing together. "You're so much a part of me
A part of me
A part of me
So deep within the heart of me
The two of us are one."

I love you and miss you dearly! 

Love, 

Sara (Sarzie🩷)

Gary and I had a good time at Wolcott High with Eddy Miller. I'll miss you Gary. Eddy Polletta

My father in law died yesterday.  I woke to the faint sound of weeping coming from downstairs.  A few moments later Leah came in to the room and told me that her father had died.  I took her in my arms and did my best to console her.  She told me not to tell our girls until after they were back from their day at camp.  She wanted to spare them for as long as she could before she broke the news. After I dropped off the kids, the two of us went to her parents house.  Her Mom and her brother were there.  We sat in a kind of disbelief as we waited for her sister and her husband to arrive.  Tears were shed as the grieving was underway.  I took a look around the living room.  It was hard to not hear his voice.  It was hard not to hear his laugh.  He had a deep, commanding voice and he was always there to lend reassuring words when needed.  As I looked around I could see some of his things still where he left them.  I looked at his chair.  Seeing it empty as it were and knowing that we wouldn't ever see him in it again;  It was hard.  It was really hard.  I remember the day I asked him for his blessing in marrying Leah.  He told me I would have his approval as long as I promised to lay my life down to save hers should the time ever come.  He said "should the time ever come, I expect you to lay your life down, to save hers.  If you do that, no matter what happens after, you did your duty".  I wanted to marry Leah so I said I absolutely would.  I thought it was a little overboard at the time but now that I have two little girls, it doesn't seem overboard at all.  He had that way of sprinkling about wisdom.  You might not notice it's effect until years later.  It's what made him so special.  I remember early on in our relationship I was having a really hard time crossing the threshold into adulthood.   I was in and out of jobs, we were living in their basement.  I had dropped out of college.  All the while he never judged me.  He would say something like "it's OK Lou.  Do you know how many jobs I lost over the years?  You'll find something.  You two can live here as long as you need to.  I may not have much, but what I got I can share".  Such a rare thing to come across in this world, someone with that depth of patience and generosity.  Most fathers would probably urge their daughter to find someone better suited.  But to him it was never about money or anything so trivial.  It was about something you can't put a worldly value on.  Loyalty and commitment.   So many memories of good times came rushing back today.  The family picnics, the Halloween parties, the Christmas celebrations, the after dinner family discussions about aliens and conspiracy theories.  So many fun times.  The man was a true original.  He could paint, he could play guitar, he could write, he could design and sew his own costumes, he was well versed in the bible.  He could enlighten you on the topic of religion.  He was a treasure.  I really wish I had told him how much I really appreciated him, and how important he was to me.  I didn't go see him after his fall.   I took for granted the fact that he always bounced back after one of his mishaps.  I'll have to live with that decision.  Sometimes it's hard to tell people how you feel, because it makes you feel awkward or vulnerable.  That's a mistake I seem to make over and over.  I hope I can correct that flaw one day.  Thank you Gary.  Goodbye my friend.   I'm really going to miss you. Lou Lorenzo

Gary and I met in the third grade. We spent many years and much craziness together. He could always talk me into anything. My thoughts are wth his family.... 
Ron Pearson

Gary Booker was the greatest father us kids could ever ask for. He was a total family man who loved nothing more than spending time with his wife and children and later his grandchildren. He put so much effort into raising us and teaching us music, pop culture, history, science, and the bible. He introduced us to all the songs, movies and television shows that he loved. He helped us study for school, built us doll houses, and played toys with us. He enjoyed creating our costumes for Halloween and taking us Trick or Treating. He also loved Christmas and would dress up like Santa Clause or Scrooge. He put so much effort into making every holiday as special as possible. Every birthday was made special. He made every day special. 
 He was multitalented, able to draw, paint, design and sew costumes, play guitar, sing, do voices and impersonations. I honestly believe he was a genius. He was also a great comedian, always using humor to make people happy. He was an eccentric individualist who taught us to walk by the beat of our own drum and to lead instead of follow.. He also taught us to be kind and loving towards others. He spent so much time with us, never turning us away. He enjoyed sharing stories about his youth on Cedar Avenue in Wolcott and his great friends and coworkers from Wallingford Steel. If you were in Gary's life, he loved you. 
I can't say enough good things about him. He was like a rock star, a teacher and an artist all rolled into one. But mostly he was a great father. Everything reminds me of him and it will be extremely hard to not miss him every second. He reminded me of the character Obi Wan Kenobi, always sharing his spiritual side and his wisdom. 
I love you forever, Papa, you were the best father I could ever imagine. Thanks for everything, my best friend. 

-Sara Booker

Gary & I were best friends for close to 60 yrs  We grew up together thru many life 
Experiences As teens he always pushed me to dance & sing & be sociable 
We worked together , party, walked & hitchhiker everywhere 
even in the cold rain in the middle of nowhere Gary always had a new song & knew all the words & we kept trucking 
I thank God that he reached out to me 9 yrs ago to rekindle our friendship & I was blessed to meet his beautiful family 
          Rest in peace till our paths cross again  God Bless youBig brother 
             
                       Eddie Miller

I was so sorry to hear that Gary had passed. My uncle was quite a character, lots of fun to be with. He will be missed. My condolences Robbie, Russ, Sarah, Leah, and Josh. He is in the hands of the universe now.

When the show "Happy Days" aired and I saw the character Fonzie, I thought of Gary. In 1964, or so, he wore the leather jacket, had the haircut, and was cool. I was 10, or so, at the time and always felt special when he talked to me. Gary has held a place in my heart for many years and I'm so blessed that before he passed away we connected through social media. I want to thank Robbie for inviting into her FB life as well. I know I'll see my brother in Christ when I get to Heaven. Sending love, hugs, and comfort to all family and friends. Elaine French Lynch

I am so proud to have had the chance to get to know you and because of that I had a glimpse at who part of me really was. I will miss the talks, the laughs, the jokes and the political disputes. I will remember the days we worked together, the days we discussed the deep philosophies of the unknown universe, the days we shared our life stories that we were not able to share for so many years. There was a time when I was growing up, that I could only imagine what and who you really were, and when I had that chance to meet you, the void in me was finally filled. You were an enigma, a mystery, and in some ways a myth to me as a child...... and incredulously enough, you still remain an enigma, a mystery and in some ways still a myth, and although I felt incredibly similar to you in many ways-------------that mysterious part of you remained just out of reach for the most part and now will forevermore. I am blessed to have had the chance to meet so many wonderful members of the family that I did not know growing up, and now cannot see myself  ever living without them. They are a part of who I am, and we have all been influenced in some way by the over the top personality that you shared with all of us. There are many things I was never able to do with you...but there are so many memories from moments I did share with you that those moments will be cherished and last me the rest of my lifetime.
When I look to the skies as I have my whole life searching for the answers, I will now know that you will be looking back waiting to share those answers with me!!!
I will love you always as my friend, my buddy, my antagonist, and my philosophical mentor................but most of all I will remember you for what you  were first and foremost....my father. Go with peace, and know that we all remember you with love!!!

Your Son......and daughter in law,

Russ (Booker) Trudel and Janet

OBITUARIO

Gary A. Booker

11 julio, 1948 – 25 julio, 2017

Della Vecchia Funeral Home

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