He was born December 24, 1946, in Ravenna, Ohio, to parents George R. and Althea C. (Tonsing) Vair. A lifelong resident of Rootstown, Gary graduated from Rootstown High School in 1964. He began as an apprentice at Goodyear in Akron and continued working as a millwright until his retirement.
Gary was an avid outdoorsman, trapping, hunting, and fishing from the time he was big enough to carry a trap, gun, or rod. Many years he would be up at the crack of dawn to check his trapping line before catching the bus for school. He spent a couple of months each year for the past 20 years in Arkansas trapping coyotes and bobcats, while making lasting friendships with the farmers there. Gary truly loved being outdoors and managing wildlife. He is a longtime member of Fur Trappers of America, Chapter 8.
Gary is survived by his daughter Frances Ochsenbine of Streetsboro, sister Kathy (Dave) Floody of Rootstown, sisters-in-law Pat Heath and Mary Jane (John) McDonald both of Rootstown, as well as many nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis Heath Vair, infant son Gary Jr., brother Jeff Vair, sister Beth Rossi, and his parents.
Friends and family will be received Thursday, September 13, 2018, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, with funeral services officiated by Pastor Dan Caruso at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Park.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Gary’s memory to your favorite charity.
