It is with shock and sadness that I just learned of Gary's passing. We met when I moved to Cleveland after college. He was first a client, then a friend. There are so many funny memories and stories - cutting hair together in the basement of John Carroll's mens' dorm (and "borrowing" toilet paper and paper towels before we left), pretending to be my dad (to the phone rep) so that I could get a telephone, making the best of our attendance to some of the most boring hairs shows in the known universe, car advice, apartment advice, life advice, men advice and really, just so much laughter. Gary was a good, good man and the world is a far, far lesser place without him in it. Peace, love and strength go out to his family and friends.

I just found out about Gary's Passing, I'm so sad ,he was a awesome person! One of my favorite customers for almost 20 years in the Beauty Industry! He will be so missed ...
Sincerely 
Jackie 

My sincere condolences to Gary's family.  I learned of Gary's passing by reading the JCU Alumni Magazine this morning.  Gary had a positive attitude and always wore a smile! Gary once offered me a free haircut in exchange for my class notes as he was going to miss a Sociology class.  He continued to provide me with great haircuts throughout my years at JCU.  On several occasions over the years, I threatened to go back to Cleveland to have Gary cut my hair again. I'm sorry I didn't follow through.  Peace to all who morn the loss of Gary.

Gary was my hairdresser for the last twelve years. I always enjoyed my time with Gary. We would talk about our love for the outdoors, his farm, his tractors, politics and many other subjects. He always did a perfect job. I will miss him a lot and I'm sad that I did not see more of him in the last few months.

I am so sorry to hear of Garys passing. 
I met Gary when we worked in the same office complex -
 then shared alot of fun times when he was working in The Galleria Downtown. 
Gary and I shared the same sense of humor - it was always a blast spending time.  My sincere condolences.  Dale Flanigan

Lynn, I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was a great guy and friend he will be missed by  a lot of people.  Only the good die young so sad. My heart goes out to you and your family Diane 

To Gary’s Family and Loved ones,

My heart is broken hearing the news of Gary’s passing. I met Gary when I was 19 years old and he continued to be my hair stylist until about age 30. Not only did he take care of me, the friendship that was built over the 10 years was something I will never forget. Gary had a way of touching your heart and soul. He was so lively and just loved life. We would talk for hours in the chair at the salon downtown about his early morning workouts, the horses he loved so much and his dreams of moving out west to settle down with lots of room and animals. We would talk politics, religion, science, relationships- he was more than my hair stylist. He was a true friend. He loved Erin and his family so much. My heart is heavy writing this and tears are flowing as I wish I could have spoken to him one last time or had the chance to say goodbye. His heart was pure and he always made you look at life in a better way- no matter what you were going through. He always was encouraging and made you laugh so hard you could cry. He loved cooking and sharing his latest creations. I will sure miss Gary so so much. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. 

Love 💖 ,
Liz Newsome 


I had the great honor and pleasure of spending 35 solid days in a row with Gary on a bike trip. From that I took a lot of lessons that I’ve carried to this day. These include taking care of yourself and others, looking on the bright side of life, having fun, not making excuses, not hesitating, and living life to the fullest. He had very simple lines I remember even now, decades later, like “I like my teeth, I’m going to keep them” and “the thing about possessions is that they will begin to possess you.”  We are all lucky to have had Gary with us, and to have memories and lessons to carry forward. 

I met Gary when I worked at the Blue Point Grille in the Warehouse District and Gary had been cutting my hair since the early 2000's, even after I moved to Medina in 2006. We developed a strong friendship and one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Gary was a kind, thoughtful and positive friend and I will miss him greatly. 
My heart goes out to you Erin and all of your family. I will keep you in my prayers. Gary was the closest person to a real cowboy that I ever met. I will remember him that way:)

His smile.  Although 5 years separated us, Gary was part of our gang at "The Bend".  Age never seemed to matter much to us Atherstone/Langton gang of kids - the younger kids and the older ones always seemed to get along (except, of course, when we were playing Capture the Flag or competing in an intense game of street baseball!)  Gary was one of us and I only wish that I had gotten to know him better.  Yet on those infrequent occasions when our paths did cross, it was his smile and a genuine warm and caring spirit that always shined through.  He will most assuredly be missed by many.  He was a fighter, but he's gone on to glory.  May he rest in peace and may God's peace, which surpasses all human understanding, be ever-present with Lynne, Erin and the rest of his family and friends as we mourn his passing.  (Philippians 4:7) 

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I knew Gary thru Turneys and Power Place. He was the kindest of souls, a very special person. He was the most pleasant gentleman I got to talk to here at work. He will be missed.

Erin, 
Sending you and all your families my heartfelt prayers and condolences.  I will forever treasure all the wonderful memories I shared with you, Gary and Lauren working at Salon Mandolfino when you first opened.  
I will forever be so grateful to you both for welcoming me with open arms.  I was so thankful to have the opportunity to work with such a talented hair artist in Gary. 
 I truly admired how he took his time with haircutting making sure his skills were  always so precise and very technical with his craft.  
I am lucky to say I learned so much from him, and even though I didn’t work there long, I will forever treasure my time with Gary and all of you.  

With all my love and sincerity, 
Lucy Lopez ♥️
  


My wonderful memories of Gary : we were wild and crazy Kinda guys in those days in a fraternity at Cleveland Heights High School  BAT.  I pledged Gary! I loved Gary.. a little guy like me and a strong loving personality Loyal and a wonderful heart of Gold. A very positive personality and determination to win. A love of family second to none.  Gary is truly special .. Our deepest sincerest condolences to all his family and his extended family and friends. He will be so missed but always in our hearts 💕 life after life he will always from up there be watching over his loved ones down here with love and protection! We all meet again when it’s our time .. Heaven just got a Angel .. with much love and prayers the Newman family 

I met Gary at John Carrol. He would go from dorm to dorm cutting hair to help pay for college. The boys from Dolan will always rememberhis warmth and humor. Godspeed my friend.

Sending you all our love and prayers during this difficult time. 
Stacey, Luke and Grace

Dear Friends & Family of Gary Mandalfino,
Over the years and especially the past 10 months of Gary’s life, you have been present.   I welcomed all of you into our home to witness Gary’s unshakable optimism and his incredible strength as he persevered with his disease.  You sustained us both with meals, you helped with chores around the farm, you drove him to treatments, you sat with him while he rested, you helped him walk, you fed him, you washed him, and you cared for him.  I was never alone during this time; you were all there, for both of us. As Gary’s ability to respond became limited, it did not keep you away.  Instead, you kept coming, day after day, making sacrifices in your own lives to be present.
Gary’s last two days of life were punctuated by a constant flow of visitors.  The sharing of love, stories and memories was in the moment and we all know Gary was listening and aware of our presence.  It was obvious to all of us that he was feeling the outpouring of love that you brought to his bedside in those final two days.  Many of us commented that we should all be so fortunate to have such a ring of love and support around us in our final hours.
As we struggle with the current health crisis and our thwarted attempts to honor Gary’s life through rituals, it has become exceedingly difficult to find a solution that will keep us all safe.  It has become necessary for us to respect the advice of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and practice social distancing during this time.  Our family will proceed with a private mass and burial on Monday, March 23, to honor Gary in our faith. We are cancelling the two days of open house to respect everyone’s safety.
It is unfortunate that we have to grieve privately, and that we cannot come together to share in Gary’s legacy of relationships that he has fostered during the years of his very dynamic life.  Please know that I feel you were all there when it mattered, and when it mattered to Gary.
Very truly yours,
Erin


So many memories.  Exploring the woods around Atherstone, kibitzing at Rukasin's soda counter, getting driving lessons and so much more. Rest in Peace.

Hi Lynne,
I was so saddened to hear of Gary's passing.  After knowing you, Gary and your family since we were kids on Winston and Atherstone, I always considered Gary as a fair, honest and pleasant person.
Lots of great memories over the years.
He will be missed greatly,
Jamie

I will always remember Gary first and foremost from Rukasin Drug. How funny he was in his white coat. After that, throughout the years we might not see each other for long periods of time but he was always happy to talk and cared about how I was doing. A warm and kind friend. Peace Gary.

Dear Lynne and the entire Mandalfino family,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear brother, husband and uncle. 
Due to the current health crises and  in concern for the family, I regret I wont  be attending Gary’s Celebration of Life. Please know I share your grief.
With prayers,
Debbie Aveni
Childhood classmate and current friend

Thinking of you Erin ❤️I am so sorry for your loss! Xxoo Donna

I am so saddened.  He was one of the nicest guys ever.  My thoughts are with the family.  ❤️

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gary’s name may be made to The Glioblastoma Foundation at www.glioblastomafoundation.org, or to Hospice of the Western Reserve at www.hospicewr.org

Due to the current public health concerns, Mass of Christian Burial and Interment at All Souls Cemetery will be held privately with family, and the previously announced gathering in Gary’s memory has been cancelled.

OBITUARY

Gary E. Mandalfino

July 4, 1950 – March 16, 2020

Gattozzi & Son Funeral Home

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