Gary Michael ALES

1940 - 2022

was born in St. Paul September 1, 1940 to Virginia (Martinson) and Dan Ales, the third of nine active, athletic children. He attended St. James and St. Peter Claver grade schools, graduated from St. Paul Central in 1958 as an All-City, All-Conference football player. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas with a B.A. in 1962, played four years Varsity Football. and earned a MA in teaching at UST 1964. He worked for Catholic Charities as a Social Worker for 2 years before teaching. Gary loved teaching. He taught Psychology at St. Paul Johnson H.S. for the next 24 years before moving on as a counselor at Humboldt Jr/Sr HS. He enjoyed working at both schools, he just loved working with young people. He would often say he had the best job in the world. When entering his classroom or office, you'd immediately be confronted with signs everywhere on every subject imaginable, signs he would compose every Sunday evening using newspapers, current events, random thoughts, funny sayings, serious issues. Anything he thought could lead to a discussion or a chuckle or a smile or perhaps insight and understanding. Johnson alums may remember Friday reports and "Dear Charlie" advice. Gary coached football, track, boys gymnastics, soccer, cross country at Johnson and at Humboldt, cross country, soccer and tennis until past retirement though he never really retired. He went on to teach Adults in a wonderful program called Seed Academy, which sadly closed due to Covid. The Friendship Club began as the Spartan Club at Johnson, hiking and biking around the city and quickly turned to volunteer community service. Clean-ups of the school grounds, to the neighborhood and soon singing and dancing at senior homes, planting community gardens, clean-ups of the city river and lake shores, unloading Xmas trees for the Midway YMCA, and so much more. It was all completely volunteer, no school credit or missed school although an occasional pizza, T shirt and of course, a tootsie roll. All were welcome, young and adult, you were requested to bring your smiles and good will. Gary always seemed to have energy to spare. Gary received a number of awards for his volunteer work. Among them 11 Who Care, Humanitarian of the Year from the University of St. Thomas and the Spurgeon Award nominated by ECOLAB, a wonderful partner and supporter of the Friendship Club. Gary loved teaching and always cared deeply for his students. He loved to phone his friends just to keep in touch. Gary loved people. Most of all he loved his family. He will be lovingly and joyfully remembered and forever sadly missed by his wife of 63 years, Jean Allan, daughters Bridget Allan Ales (Pete Ferderer) and Sheila Ales (Bill Gaier), brother Mark Dino Ales, grandchildren Peter (Kip) and Sigrid Ferderer, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by sons Christopher James and Kevin Michael, sisters Jeanne (Lavalle), Georgia (Ales Lynch) and Deborah (Debbie Hanratty), brothers David, Danny, Bernard (Tim) and Steven. Memorial Mass Thursday, July 28th 10:30 AM at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Stanford & Prior Aves., St. Paul. Visitation Wed., 4-8 pm at O'Halloran & Murphy, 575 S. Snelling Ave. and one hour prior to the Mass at church. Memorials Preferred to donor's choice. We would like to thank the St. Paul EMTs, Regions Emergency Room and ICU Staffs.