Gary Hayden Reynolds

March 19th 1944 –July 9th, 2013

After a brief battle with cancer Gary died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, overlooking beloved Hamburg Cove. Gary is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marilynn C. Reynolds, three children, Leland Thomas Reynolds and wife Shaleigh Reynolds, twins, G. Hayden Reynolds and wife Emily Reynolds, and Kathryn R. Wayland and husband Mark Wayland and a sister, Carleen Gerber, whom all reside in Lyme. He is son of the late Laura and Leland Reynolds of Lyme.

Gary lived an incredibly full life in his short 69 years, dedicating the majority of his time and talent to the community of Lyme and his family. Gary attended Peddie School after his parents could not keep him away from the family business. After completing a business degree from Babson College, Gary followed his passions and secured a job at The Ford Motor Company in Michigan. After two years he became ill and recognized the corporate culture was not for him and returned to Lyme. During his short hospital stay at Yale New Haven Hospital, Marilynn Collins, head nurse, caught his eye. Nine months later, on August 19th, 1967 they married. Gary and Marilynn settled in the home they built together and proudly raised three children in Lyme together.

Gary valued community and began his civic contributions in 1977 on the Board of Finance for the Town of Lyme. With his strong leadership skills his contributions to the town of Lyme and the automotive industry continued strong until his death. His accomplishments include: President and Owner of Reynolds’ Garage & Marine Inc., member of the Peugeot Advisory Board, Former past Chief and Committee Chair for the Lyme Fire Company, Chairman of the Lyme Board of Finance (37 years of service), Treasurer for the Lyme Congregational Church, member of the Hamburg Cove Yacht Club, Justice of the Peace, board member of The Essex Savings Bank, CT Auto Retailers Association board member, Director for the State of CT for the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Chairman of the Regulatory Affairs Committee and Executive Board Member for NADA, and Harbormaster for the town of Lyme.

His passions included boating, traveling, NASCAR, tinkering on the Seagraves Fire Truck, and cherished being affectionately called “Pop-Pop” by his seven grandchildren Charlotte, Lillian, Izzadora, Julia, and Kaleigh Reynolds and Ted and Laura Lee Wayland. Gary enjoyed being an advocate for all auto dealers throughout the country and was passionate about all of the wonderful relationships he developed along the way. He relished weekly luncheons, poker nights and Sunday races with his friends.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 11:00am in First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 3:00 until 6:00pm in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Ln., Old Lyme, CT 06371. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for photos, tributes, directions and more service information .

Donations in Gary’s honor can be directed to The Lyme Ambulance, PO Box 911, Hadlyme CT 06439 or The Lyme Fire Company, 213 Hamburg Road, Lyme CT 06371.