Preston Gary Stern

Dr. Preston Gary Stern, known as Gary, Poppa, or simply, Doc, left this world after a long and arduous struggle with his health late on Saturday July 29th. He spent most of his life helping everyone around him as a brilliant doctor, legal-medical expert, husband, and father to anyone needing one. Born in the Bronx in 1943, he grew up in Yonkers, and later attended the George Washington University, where he met Barbara Zauber. He moved to Richmond, got married, and attended the Medical College of Virginia, graduating near the top of his class. Then he went on to Connecticut for an internship at Hartford Hospital, and a fellowship at Yale. There, he started his first medical practice at the remarkable young age of 28 and welcomed two children with Barbara. They moved to South Florida in 1980. As a gastroenterologist and internist, he saved countless lives with his incredible diagnostic abilities. Though he could not save his marriage, he found love again, and worked tirelessly building a new career as a trusted medical consultant for personal injury cases, continuing to help those who could not help themselves. He loved to work. He loved cooking and tending to his landscaping. He loved tennis and cycling until his back gave out. He loved his Jewish faith. Most of all, he loved hosting family dinners, where everyone was welcomed, treated as family, and given advice, whether you wanted the help or not! He was as stubborn as he was brilliant, infuriatingly so, and sometimes downright impossible, but he gave freely of himself without any expectation of getting anything in return. He is survived by the love of his life, Shelli Wolfinger, his beloved children Rachel Stern, Deborah Stern Pratt, Damian Pratt, his beloved stepchildren, Darlene Wolfe, Jennifer Wolfinger Smith and Michael Smith, and three grandchildren he adored: Braden, Ellie, and Aaron.

A funeral service for Preston will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Chapel Service at Star of David Chapel, 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, FL 33068. Following the funeral, Preston will be laid to rest in Bailey Memorial Gardens, 7801 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, FL 33068; Garden of Joshua; Lot: 609, Grave: 9.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.starofdavidfuneralchapel.com for the Stern family.