Gary J. Delano

Westfield - After a brief illness, Gary J. Delano, 74, passed away at Holyoke Medical Center, in the early morning of July 5, 2020.  He was reunited with the love of his life, Linda (Wojtowicz) Delano, to whom he had been married for 46 years, before her passing in 2013. 

Gary was born March 11,1946, in Springfield, and was a long-time parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Ware.

Before retiring from Kanzaki Paper in Ware, Gary was a mail carrier, which is how he met Linda, while delivering mail to the diner where she was a waitress. They married in 1967 and had three children. He was passionate about building his model train set, and looked forward to spending Thursdays with his friend and fellow train enthusiast, Bob Pauquette. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, the Dallas Cowboys and spending time at the Ware Senior Center before moving to Chicopee, so he could spend more time with his grandchildren.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, Robert J. Delano, who died 1979; and Mildred M. (Deyo), who died in 1992.  He was also predeceased by his two brothers, Robert C., who died in 1967 and Thomas W., who died in 1998.

He leaves behind his brother, Patrick Delano of Wichita, Kansas; his two sisters, Sandra Antico and her husband Salvatore, and Linda Butler, all of West Springfield; his three children, Tammy Perry and her partner Robert Weighill of Spencer, Robert Delano and his wife Kathleen, and Heather Jolly and her partner Michael Hannum, all of Chicopee.  He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Jackie, Krystle, Danielle, Jessica, Joshua & Rebecca, two great-grandchildren, Aidan & Emily, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours for Gary will be held on Monday, July 13, from 5-7PM in the Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street in Ware. A Graveside Service will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 10AM. For everyone’s health and safety, along with the current regulations, masks must be worn along with social distancing.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210 or www.diabetes.org.

Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St., in Ware is assisting his family with arrangements. 

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