Gary DeCoster

Gary DeCoster, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away Feb. 23, 2011, in Sarasota, Fla., after a long illness. Born in Stoughton, Jan. 16, 1935, to the late Lloyd and Valda (Carr) DeCoster, Gary attended Stoughton High School, graduating in 1953. He married his high school sweetheart, Maryann (Felos) DeCoster, Sept. 24, 1954, and they began their life together first in Ashland before settling in Bridgewater. A devoted provider, Gary worked as a tool and dye apprentice for several years before starting his career at Raytheon, Inc., in Marlborough. He continued his education while working two jobs, finally earning his associates degree from Massasoit Community College in 1968. Gary retired from Raytheon as a senior cost analyst in 1993 after a successful 32-year career. He and Maryann moved to Franklin from 1989 to 1993 before returning to Bridgewater for their retirement. Gary worked part time at the East Bridgewater YMCA for 12 years, making many friends amongst the members and his co-workers. Throughout his life, Gary had a passion for understanding how things worked, with particular interest in technology and communications. While as a teenager he re-built many a Packard engine and loved cars, following his fathers lead, Gary became an avid ham radio operator (WA1CIM) meeting new people around the world from the comfort of his den. From 1979, as an early, pioneering user of the first Apple home computers, to the internet, to online banking, to digital music and social networking, Gary always looked for the potential of new technologies to make life better and more fun | and it kept him young beyond his years. While Garys many other interests included sailing, cooking, music (he played the organ and the clarinet), yard sales and traveling, his greatest love was spending time with family, his beloved wife Maryann, prior to her passing in 2007; his daughter, Kristin Casey and her husband Christopher; and his grandchildren, in whom he had boundless pride, Daniel, Hannah and James Casey. In addition to those family members, Gary also leaves his loving brother, Glenn DeCoster of San Diego; his sister-in-law and her husband, Terry and John Perry of West Yarmouth; and his friend, Donna Cahoon of Port Charlotte, Fla. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 12, at 3 p.m. at the Prophett-Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 98 Bedford St., Bridgewater, with visitation held before the service from 1 to 3 p.m. A private burial will take place on Cape Cod. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Strong Kids Campaign, East Bridgewater YMCA, 635 Plymouth St., East Bridgewater, MA 02333. For online guest book, visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com. Prophett-Chapman Cole & Gleason 508-697-4332