Name: Visitation for Gary W. Kohs
Start: 2017-12-21T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-12-21T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Grace Memorial - Bower Rose Funeral Home - Marine City

Gary W. Kohs

St. Clair - Gary William Kohs "departed from this world" suddenly on December 15, 2017. He was 73 years young, or as he would joke, 37. He is survived by his fiancé, Laura Antoniolli Scaccia and her children, Genna, Evan, Daniella and Francesca Scaccia; his son, Gregory (Andrea) Kohs and daughters, Carrie Kohs and Amy (Tony) Gallo; and grandchildren, Grayson, Cameron and Sophie Kohs. Gary was born on Christmas day in 1943 to Geraldine (Kincaid) and George Kohs and grew up in Northville, MI. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1966, raised his family in Birmingham, MI, and called St. Clair his home for the past 5-1/2 years. Gary, a man larger-than-life, worked tirelessly on anything and everything he pursued. Through his hard work and devotion to being the best, he had the good fortune to lead a grand life, full of adventures that took him around the world and back. He was a magical story-teller and avid collector of world-class treasures who enjoyed sharing his experiences with everyone he encountered, leaving lasting memories with all those he touched. Gary found a true home in Marine City where he lit a figurative match and poured on the gasoline of inspiration and creativity to create something truly special and unique. He was known as an exceptional visionary constantly challenging the status quo - Gary was just better, he didn't make you feel less, but rather he drove you to be better and challenge the process. He leaves behind his legacy of passion and generosity and an over-abundance of friends around the globe. To Gary, every day was a blessing and a gift. In his words, "it's been a great ride and a grand life for which I am very thankful…see you on the other side!" Visitation will be held Thursday, December 21, 2017 from 11:00am to 5:00pm in Bower-Rose Funeral Home, Marine City. Father Stephen Rooney, pastor of Our Lady on the River Parish, Holy Cross Church will be giving a Blessing at 4:00 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations to River Rec Teen Zone are appreciated, as this was one of Gary's great passions. www.riverrecteenzone.org. To send condolences visit: www.bowerrosefuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Detroit News & Detroit Free Press on Dec. 19, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Kohs

38 Entries

Veira Powell

February 17, 2022

Hey, My mom was Gary's niece. I am currently 11 years old. I wasn't very old when I knew him, but he was really nice

Bob Fehan

April 3, 2020

I had the opportunity to work for Gary when we were resurrecting Ford Motorsports and building several Ford Image vehicles to bring back the youth market to Ford. Myself and Ron Fournier built so may cool cars for Gary that went on tour though out the country. Gary had one of the finest car collections, unknown to a lot of people, He way truly a marketing genius. You will truly be missed by all. God Bless, Bob Fehan from bobfehanmotorsports.com

Robert Johnson III

April 10, 2018

I was stunned to find that Gary died at the end of 2017. I last saw him years ago at Nuremburg Toy Fair with his amazing models.. I first met Gary in the Fall of 1979 when Gary had "this idea" to bring Ford back into racing. We met with Joe Corey and Gary's idea of an IMSA Mustang race car began with a 1/24th scale Monogram 1979 Mustang fastback with body panels from a Tamiya Zakspeed Capri grafted onto it. The model was made in the Monogram pattern shop and Gary and Joe used it to "sell the idea"!! I loved his vision and boundless energy.. even when he "missed the mark", he pressed on.. GODSPEED Gary... you will be missed but not forgotten

Jim Gorman

April 9, 2018

I knew Gary at NotreDame, where we both were students in the 1960s. Gary's passion at that time was the automobile, particularly racing and sports cars. After each Indianapolis 500, we would go over the entire race, lap by lap. He even organized an automobile show at Notre Dame, the first!

RON HARMAN

March 15, 2018

I WAS SORRY TO READ THIS LAURA!
RON HARMAN

January 23, 2018

Cher Gary,

Sans nouvelles de ta part suite à mon dernier message du 20 Décembre, j'ai appris par internet que tu as rejoint le bienheureux paradis des Créateurs et Artisans d'art, ceux qui t'ont fourni tes Fine Art Models. Je suis désolé pour ta famille et tes proches, à qui j'adresse mes très sincères condoléances.
Je ne t'ai pas connu: quelques courtes visites seulement. Tu ne parlais pas français, et je ne parlais pas anglais, mais nous avions en commun un esprit d'enfant qui s'émerveille devant de beaux jouets et oeuvres d'art, généralement négligés par les adultes. A mon questionnement sur ton age, tu m'avais répondu que dans ta tête, tu avais toujours quinze ans...
Dans ton dernier mail, tu m'écrivais regretter que l'Artisanat d'Art disparaisse. Je ne sais pas encore si j'aurais le courage d'achever le planétaire que tu m'avais commandé: si je le termine ce sera en souvenir de toi.
Avec toute mon amitié, Gary.
Christian Bernardet

[email protected]

Larry Kotur

January 5, 2018

So very sorry for your loss.

Steve Meyer

December 30, 2017

So very sorry to hear about Gary. He will never be forgotten. May God bless his family and all that knew him.

Anita & Paul Campbell

December 23, 2017

Many friends in Upper Michigan are saddened by the death of Gary Kohs and send our condolences to his family. Gary had a real love for the beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Since the day he purchased the Mendota Lighthouse at Bete Grise he became an advocate for the preservation of a very unique shoreline on Lake Superior. Because of Gary's high spirit and vision, over 5,000 acres and 5 miles of shoreline have been protected forever in a conservancy for future generations to enjoy. We are truly indebted to Gary's tenacity in pursuing that protection. He will be missed and remembered.

Kim & Jim Turner

December 22, 2017

Gary lit a Fire under all of us, now may he Shine down upon us.

Stephanie Grassel

December 21, 2017

I am so very grateful for the influence Gary and Laura have on my son Darrin, he has been looking forward to the mentorship ,working more events, and spending more time with them both and he will definitely miss Gary's fun-loving personality and positive attitude. My deepest sympathy and Prayers to Laura and the family.

Gary and friends at Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week, one of Gary's many passions

December 21, 2017

Nevine Gazayerli

December 21, 2017

Sending Laura and the family our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers. Laura, may the memory of your beautiful adventures together bring you strength.

December 20, 2017

The Northville Garden Club extends sincere sympathy to the Gerry Kohs family. We appreciated his support in memory of his mother.

Malcolm & Caroline Holcombe

December 19, 2017

Gary, we will miss you and wish you the best as you depart this world for your next adventure. Our condolences to Laura and family. You illuminated the world as very few do, and we are honored to have known you and Laura during our time in Marine City, MI. As we discussed once, Marine City is one of the best places to live, bar none. You were instrumental in contributing to that fact. Take care till we meet again.

Christopher Troy

December 19, 2017

Gary was an inspiration to anyone who knew him and understood what integrity meant. He was always so excited to talk about films, events and history, there was no such thing as a quick chat. Gary led by example no matter who it pissed off staking his claim in the saying that, "There is no sense doing anything if you don't do it right!" Gary will be missed. Not just for what he did for the City of Marine City but for what he did for those who got to know him. I am a better person from his acquaintance.

Cynthia Belotti

December 19, 2017

Beautiful obituary- perfect for this man who never strolled through life, rather ran so he could absorb all he could in his allotted time. my heart goes out to his lovely family.

Brenda Coulombe

December 19, 2017

May Gary's memory be carried on in the future to come, as he always looked to the future not the past.
He will leave an imprint and a legacy that will always be remembered for his brilliants and adventurous ways of creating new inventive Ideas. Gary was a pioneer in moving forward in life.
His impact was also as he said across the pond in Sombra . I will surely miss Gary as he was my inspiration that had come alive again he in powered me with his great ideas and the new adventures he had planned for 2018 and the future.
Gary will be implementing his Plans on St Peter's Gates and I can't wait to see his vision come to reality in heaven.
Condolences to Laura and all your family and Gary's family. I will miss Gary Deeply .
Brenda Coulombe

December 19, 2017

I didn't know Gary well, but I do know he lived life to the fullest. Prayers to all his family and friends.

S. Wunderlich

Bernard Regan

December 19, 2017

Gary you gave so much to the Community and friends, you will be deeply missed. My deepest sympathies to Laura and all of the family. Marine City has lost a great friend and leader. Thank you so much for hosting the monthly "town fathers meeting" hopefully we may continue to thrive in your honor. Bless you and you dear Laura and all the family.

Teti Minko

December 19, 2017

Though I never had the opportunity to meet Gary. I do know the passion in which he lived his life through the photographs of him and Laura. A passion for doing good, seeing things through to the end, and finding and embracing love with another. Laura, the love in his eyes for you will keep you loved forever. His heart is now the size of the sky that will shine like the sun.

Barbara Grundeman

December 19, 2017

Our family met the Koh's family at our first apt. in Royal Oak. Greg and Lynn were both toddlers. I remember sitting by the pool with Connie Kohs when Gary arrived home from his first job at an advertising agency where he worked for a short time. He exitedly announced, "I quit and I'm renting Cobo Hall to put on an auto show." That was only the beginning of his work related adventures and he never looked back. Our deepest sympathies to Laura, Greg, Carrie, Amy and their families.
Bob, Barb and Brian Grundeman

Jeri Packer

December 18, 2017

Gary was always encouraging and challenging others to be the best version of themselves. While I worked at The Voice, he always told me I was a great writer, because I really cared about the things I wrote about. That's just how he was.
I'm so glad I got to know him and Laura these past years! Just wonderful people!

Mike & Barbara Miller

December 18, 2017

Gary dazzled us all when he brought the beautiful exact replica of the Titanic to the city of St. Clair. The exhibit was amazing and a very successful fund raiser.

To Gary's family, please know we are sorry for your loss and the very untimely death of Gary.

David Malcolm

December 18, 2017

RIP Gary very happy to have known you for such a short time. Can't help but feel sad because we won't be able to finish those projects we were planning together. Marine City has lost it's greatest Champion. Condolences to Laura and all your family.

Eva Joyce Burns

December 18, 2017

Our deepest sympathy to your family.
You were such a great mentor to my son when he worked for you as co-op many years ago.

Gary, Bob McGreevy and Ted McCutcheon

Ted McCutcheon

December 18, 2017

Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Gary's family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Johanna Smith

December 18, 2017

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Prayers and thoughts coming your way.

Karen Hopp

December 18, 2017

Gary: Thank you for enhancing life along the St Clair River. You were a great example of how one person can inspire many to perform good deeds for the community. Very sorry for Laura and all the rest of us.
Dave and Karen Hopp

Sherrill/Chris Zimmer

December 18, 2017

Once and awhile a guy comes along full of great ideas, optimism and the ability to make things happen. That was Gary. And although he had only adopted Marine City a few years ago, he was able to implement a multitude of events and projects that has put Marine City on the path (as Gary would say) becoming the best small town in Michigan. His 'reinvention' of the old Mariner Theater as a museum quality exhibition space and having the vision to incorporate film again was a vision no one but Gary could dream up. Who would have ever perceived that Marine City could have world premier movies? And his ideas kept comingincluding Guinness World Records for Pumpkins Carving and (another vision of Gary's) the Longest Strand of Popcorn stretched Between 2 Countries. He looked around and knew he could help everyone of all ages and he saw a community ready for his ideas. Gary had many more accomplishments which have impacted all our lives in Marine City, and he will surely be missed. Our heart goes out to his fiance, Laura, and his family. Please know that we are forever grateful that he was in our lives.

Carolyn Linington

December 18, 2017

Gary made you feel as if you were a long lost friend and greeted you with true warmth and a smile. Bill and I are so very sorry to learn of his passing, we send our love and prayers to Laura and his family. May he rest in peace.

Gary Kohs pumpkin palooza

Peter Michael

December 17, 2017

You gave so much to the Community and friends you will be deeply missed. My deepest sympathies to all of the family.

Paula Tigert

December 17, 2017

I had the chance to meet him at the city hall meeting,and the passion he had for Marine City will live on threw all that he has done to help out the kids and community. Praying for his family and friends. I am sure he's going to be busy in heaven watching over the community that he improved. R.I.P

Robin Bouman

December 17, 2017

His memory will shine on in those he knew.
My condolences to everyone who's lives and hearts he touched.

Jason Stier

December 17, 2017

All those who knew Gary have been touched by his spirit of kindness and wisdom. Thank you Gary for all you have given to our youth, our community, and our sense of empathy. Your spirit will live on through our efforts to bridge divides, care for each other, and give unselfishly to those in need. You have inspired me and so many others to strive to become better individuals. Thank you kind sir, you will be missed.

Jim Fentress

December 17, 2017

My heart goes out to Gary's family and Laura. I will miss his laugh and friendship immensely.

Charlene McKay

December 17, 2017

You were loved by so many and will be missed terribly

Maureen Zottoli

December 16, 2017

My deepest sympathies and deepest condolences to family and friends. A genuinely good man. Great community support and animal lover. Respected model builder and businessman. He will be missed.

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