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Gary Cangemi Obituary
Born on April 29, 1954, in Arlington, Va., to the late John and Ethel Cangemi, he graduated from Peary High School, Rockville, Md., and earned his B.A. in 1976 from the University of Scranton. Gary was an extremely talented artist, writer and cartoonist who inspired countless people through his work. He was the creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip Umbert, comic books, trading card series and recently published his first children's book.
Gary loved his community and endlessly volunteered. He was a Boy Scout leader for more than a decade and an avid sports fan. He started the soccer program at West Scranton High School, coaching for six seasons. Most of all, Gary was a kind, caring soul and dedicated family man who loved to entertain others through stories, art and music, and especially with his children and twin granddaughters.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Nancy Watkins Cangemi; his children, Peter Cangemi and wife, Lauren; and their children, Madison and Evelyn, Houston, Texas; Katherine Cangemi and fiancé, Matt Albracht, Philadelphia; and Becca Cangemi, Scranton. He is also survived by three sisters, Donna, Kelly and Angela; three brothers, John, Mike and Chris.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Steve.
Gary's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Regional Hospital of Scranton for their kindness and caring.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 262 Railroad Ave., West Scranton. Viewing for family and friends will be Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Interment will be private.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Cangemi
Dottie Cangemi-DiNoto
March 14, 2021
Although we lived miles apart, I fondly remember Gary when he was just a wee boy. I know you are happy I n Heaven with our Lord and your Dad. Rest in peace my dear nephew. Aunt Dottie
Cheryl Popielasz
March 14, 2021
You will always be that little fellow I met in first grade
Judy Teserovitch
March 14, 2021
Rest In Peace my dear friend Gary. You are gone from our sight but you will never be forgotten as you live on in all the hearts of those who love you. God bless your beautiful family. I pray you may see them through God’s eyes and are keeping a close watch over them. Miss you
Judy Teserovitch
March 14, 2020
Its hard to believe that Gary has been gone 3 years. Im sure that he is resting in the arms of the Lord and is happy to know of the many pro life victories that have been achieved in the last few years. Umbert has been given a makeover and he looks great! He will be proudly marching along in the St. Patricks Parade whenever it is rescheduled. God bless all of Garys family and Gary, may your soul Rest In Peace.
Judy Teserovitch
March 14, 2019
I think about Gary often and am confident that he is watching over his beautiful family through Gods eyes. He is still greatly missed, but he continues to live in our hearts and our memories and through his most famous work, Umbert the Unborn. Rest In Peace my friend.
Judy Teserovitch
April 1, 2017
Gary was a great friend and was blessed with many wonderful talents. His passion for defending unborn babies will be sorely missed. God bless his beautiful family and Gary may you Rest In Peace in the arms of the Lord.
Ed Hurlbutt
March 31, 2017
God bless you for the lives and souls you saved. Until we meet in heaven!
mi ciudad Arequipa con su volcán EL MISTI
Reynaldo Ballon Medina
March 30, 2017
Seguiremos orando para que nuestro hermano que a pasado de esta vida terrenal, transitorio, pase al cielo de la Vida Eterna, por su buen comportamiento en especial defendiendo al No Nacido por Nacer
March 29, 2017
Nancy, Laura and your families,
I am so sorry to hear about Gary, I'm sure you are devastated by this loss. May your many, many memories comfort you now and forever. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers,
Maggie Snyder
Margaret Wallace
March 29, 2017
Dear Cangemi Family,I am so sorry for the loss of your husband,father and grandfather!! I knew Gary from the Pro-life movement and was always so impressed by his passion and talent that he generously used for the cause. May God rest his soul and greatly reward him for his work and may He grant you peace and strength in your sorrow!
Michael Ciccocioppo
March 22, 2017
Please see my article about Gary on National Right to Life News Today at http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2017/03/gary-cangemi-died-saturday-in-scranton-cartoonist-created-congenial-umbert-the-unborn/
Jim Buckley
March 22, 2017
May God bless and keep him close and comfort all that are left to carry on. RIP Gary
Ed Rivet
March 22, 2017
A light to the world has gone out too soon. Gary inspired and lightened the heart of countless pro-life activists around the world. He will be missed.
Marie Bowen
March 22, 2017
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Presbyterians Pro-Life, I want to extend our condolences to the Cangemi family. We have used Gary's Umbert cartoons often in our 'Daily Delivery' newsletter at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA. We are grateful to God for Gary's life and his witness to the truth about life in the womb through his gifts of artistry and humor. May God's presence be very near you and give you comfort and hope in your time of loss.
Karla Berg Walker
March 21, 2017
I am so saddened by Gary's passing. Gary was a special friend in our class at Peary '72. We ate lunch together with a couple of other friends our senior year and had many vivid discussions. While I was teaching at Harmony Hills ES, Wheaton, MD, Gary gifted a Husky character drawing to my school. At our 40th Peary '72 Reunion, Gary gave me one of his Umbert books. I will always treasure this gift. Gary and I both became first time grandparents in 2016. We enjoyed sharing photos of our 4 grand girls--we each received 2! I have so enjoyed watching the granddaughters change with their monthly photos. I hope that Gary's son will continue to post photos of the girls on Gary's FB page. Sending prayers to all and especially for Gary. Feeling blessed to have known Gary.
With a prayer of thanksgiving for Gary,
Karla Berg Walker, Peary '72
Marge (Rhys's mom) Gray
March 21, 2017
Mrs. Cangemi,
I am so sorry for you and your family's loss. Thinking of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Randall K. O'Bannon, Ph.D.
March 21, 2017
I met Gary at our pro-life conventions and always had the most fun at his workshops. Loved him, loved his work, will miss him greatly!
Pat & Bob Gibbons
March 21, 2017
Mrs. Cangemi - we are so sorry for your loss. Gary was a great Scouter and always willing to assist us with various graphic projects. Please accept our deepest sympathy!
Mary Zygmunt
March 21, 2017
Dear Nancy & Family,
My brother called today to tell me of Gary's passing. I am so sorry for your loss.
I have wonderful memories of Gary from our younger days.
I sure will miss his great Christmas cards.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mary Zygmunt
March 21, 2017
So very sorry for your loss. I was in the class of '72 at Peary with Gary. I remember him as an "Everyman"; he used his gift to span the cliques that existed. His talent knew no bounds. We all have lost a very good man.
Susan Rogacs
March 21, 2017
Gary was a cornerstone for the pro-life cause in PA. We loved his inspired messages passed through Umbert the Unborn. His passing leaves a big hole in our hearts. His talent was inspired, and we will miss Umbert. Our deepest condolences to his family.
March 21, 2017
We were blessed to have Gary in our family even for the short time we knew him. We hope to see Nancy in Houston in the near future. Stephanie and Tom Roberson
March 21, 2017
We are SO sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful friend and will forever be in our hearts. We will miss him so.
Mitch and Connie Cohen and family
Robin Lisa Rosenberg
March 21, 2017
My deepest condolences to the Cangemi family. I am an alumnus of Peary, class of 1979. I never knew Gary but I always loved his "Peary Christmas" card on the Peary site.
Sean Manley
March 20, 2017
Very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. I used to take his animation classes at the museum. He was a great teacher and a great person. I still own my "Oil Slick Ducks" comics from those years. God bless you!
March 20, 2017
What a great cartoonist! And and even better human being! I will miss his mirth and merriment. I last saw him at the National Right to Life Convention in Herndon, VA last summer. We did several TV shows on Umbert the Unborn here in Boston, MA.
I am shocked at his passing as I had no idea. God gave him very special gifts. May he rest in peace. Brendan O'Connell of Boston and Life Matters TV
Cheryl Collett Popielasz
March 20, 2017
Gary and I were in first and second grade together at Lewisdale elementary school. He came to my birthday party when I turned 6! I still have the picture. We played at recess probably every day. He and his family moved away and luckily, because of FB we were able to reconnect. We caught up to where we were at that point in our lives. He had an amazing memory of our early days.
I can't even express how much sorrow I feel for his family and especially those adorable twins that he loved.
I will always remember that little fellow with the plaid flannel shirt and untied shoes and his smile so many years ago.
God bless you my friend Cheryl
March 20, 2017
So sorry to read about Gary. I did alot of business with him years ago when I had Personal Touch Gourmet Gift Baskets and he was always great to work with.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Elliot Schoenberg
Gail Friel
March 20, 2017
Gary befriended me while I was attending Peary Jigh School. He was a true friend that made himself available to listen when I needed an ear. While I hadn't heard from him since he moved to Scranton our paths crossed again over the past year. Recently when I became upset that I didn't see a ribbon for thymus cancer (I was diagnosed 3 years ago) Gary created one using army jacket green and levy blue jean; both colors I was known for in high school. Gary defended life no matter what age. I will miss his protectiveness. He was a great friend. My condolences go out to his family. My prayers are with you.
March 20, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family and friends.
March 20, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this sad time. I remember Gary as a young boy growing up in Maryland. May he join the Lord with his Mother and Father in heaven. Rest in peace dear nephew. Your loving aunt Dorothy Cangemi
Bob and Mary Brown
March 20, 2017
Thank you for your work for the unborn. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Louise Kurpis
March 20, 2017
To the Cangemi Family:
My deepest sympathies to all of you during this most difficult time. Words spoken cannot take away your sorrow, but hopefully the words spoken can let you all know that there are people who love you and are here to help in any way they can. I did not know Gary very well, but I did know he was a one-of-a-kind man with a heart of gold. I pray for you all that you find peace soon.
NyxoLyno Cangemi
March 20, 2017
Your time on Earth was too short, but your impact will be felt for a lifetime. You are missed uncle Gary.
Jacki Ragan
March 20, 2017
You will be missed dear friend. Thank you for sharing your talents and your friendship.
March 20, 2017
So sorry for your loss
Maria Gallagher
March 20, 2017
I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Gary's family. He was a creative genius who used his talents to try to make the world a better place. He will be sorely missed. I offer my prayers for the happy repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family.
David Kveragas
March 20, 2017
My condolences to Gary's family and friends. I only had the pleasure of meeting him once but know and appreciate his work in the pro life movement. He will be missed.
Jimmy
March 20, 2017
Truly a sad day. Mr. Cangemi was a wonderful man. He used his God given talent to be a fighter for the un-born. Mrs. Cangemi was my Son's teacher and a kind woman. Both her and her husband were there for my boy when he fought leukemia. I know the Good Lord will be with you in these tough times. Sincerely, Jimmy
Karen Baker
March 20, 2017
I will forever remember Gary's work making Dr. Allen Firestone's waiting room such a friendly and "non-scary" place. My children and I would spend quite a bit of time discovering something new each time we visited. May he rest in peace.
March 20, 2017
To the Family of Gary,
We would like to express our sympathy for your loss. Gary was our son's Boy Scout Leader for Troop 50 and then for Troop 317. He was also his soccer coach at West Scranton. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert O'Boyle
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