Gary Repetto was a truly gifted man ... gifted in sports, in business and as you will learn, an extremely gifted writer. He grew up not far from Wrigley Field on Chicago's northwest side. He attended Weber High school, where football and baseball were his passions - passions that made him an all-star player in Chicago's Catholic League. He was an integral part of Weber's first city championship team playing for 83,000 fans at Chicago's Soldier Field. Gary won a football scholarship to the University of New Mexico and continued to be a champion. Here, he won more letters and demonstrated his talents on championship teams. After graduating with a biology degree, he coached both high school football in Chicago and college football at the University of New Mexico. Later he became the commissioner of the Young America Football League of New Mexico, a statewide youth football program. But most of all Gary Repetto was a gentle, thoughtful man, who loved to read. His easy-going demeanor made him a joy to be around and a highly respected associate in his long business career. For 39 years, Gary worked as a corporate recruiter of engineers in the mining and defense industries. He retired from Northrop Grumman after eighteen years. It is here that this story takes a fascinating turn, because deep inside Gary lay his greatest gift of all. Unbeknown to most, Gary was a splendid writer. His retirement gave him the time to do what he loved more than football. This is when the talent he had sheltered for so long took its first steps to the outside world. A host of gripping short stories emerged and two much praised novels: Prairie Fire, explores the pressures of winning-at-all-costs through spirited interactions between students, priests, coaches and parents. It is a saga of good versus evil. His second novel, Afraid of the Dark, is geared towards young adults and concerns the 1969 Chicago Cubs and a twelve year old boy. Gary Repetto, 72, of Chandler, AZ. passed away peacefully on October 30, 2016. He was a loving husband to Antoinette, father to Danette (Ed) Nelson, Cheryl (Brian) Simmons and the late Christopher Luna, beloved son of the late Bill and Maurine Repetto, brother of David (Gail Isaacson) Repetto, uncle to Tom (Sarah) Repetto and great uncle to Joshua Repetto, brother-in-law to Patrick (Sue) Dunworth and Michael (Nancy) Dunworth. A memorial service will be at a later date. Remembrances of Gary can be sent to:
[email protected] In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice of the Valley at
www.hov.orgPublished by Chicago Tribune on Nov. 3, 2016.