Gary Barnard Macchioni, 77, passed away December 31, 2025, in Beulah, Michigan. Born September 2, 1948, in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Gary graduated from St. Joan of Arc School in Hershey in 1963; and Hershey High School in 1967; he served as President of the Pennsylvania Hi-Y / Tri-Hi-Y.
In 1969, he completed the U.S. Air Force Accelerated Flight Medical Training Program; served from 1968 to 1971. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, held USAF roles: Emergency Medical First Responder at Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam Hospital; Medic in the Flight Surgeons Office at Edwards in California; where he supported NASA astronauts; finishing his service at a helicopter training mission in Bishop, California.
Following the USAF, he enrolled at Butte and Chico State Colleges in California; then at Penn State "Capitol Campus," where he was the Stage Manager in the Drama Program also for traveling plays for elementary school children; Program Director at YMCA Camp Shikellimy. Lastly, earned a Bachelor of Philosophy at Penn State main campus, achieved Dean's List in 1977.
He was formerly a real estate appraiser; Manager of Ames Hardware in Hershey, a fundraiser for The Kidney Foundation of Central PA, and finally was fulfilled by owning Heartland Financial Mortgage in Hershey. In 2012, he moved to Michigan; he worked part-time for the Benzie County Planning Commission.
Gary loved teaching cooking classes at the Hershey Italian Lodge. Over thirty years, he taught over 1,000 students. He was an Advisory Board Member of GemmasAngels.org, a non-profit created in honor of his mother by his brother Michael, which serves the needy.
He proudly published the book, 'Letters from a Vietnam Vet: Words I Could Not Write' in 2018, a memoir of would-be wartime letters sent to his mother.
He leaves behind sister Marlene Welden of Seguin, TX, husband Rex, son Taylor; brother Mike Macchioni of Hershey, children Jason, Matthew, Lisa; sister Joni Rockhill of Royersford, PA, husband Lee, children Liana Rose and Zane Randal; Aunts Rosalinda Fahey, Doris Ranaglia, Jeannette Ranaglia; thirteen great-nieces & nephews; many cousins; a stepson Gary Forry, wife Michelle, sons Scott, Tommy, and Chad. Also, Gary is survived by his third wife, Kathie.
Preceded in death by his dear mother Gemma Rose (DiGuiseppi) Macchioni; father Nordi Joseph Macchioni; sister Carole Barnett; grandparents Guiseppe Macchioni & Rosa (Corfidi) Macchioni, Francesca (Zeppelli) DiGuiseppi Ranaglia & Sabatino Ranaglia; aunts / uncles: Angela Pasquini, Louis Macchioni, Emilia Paioletti, Rebela Bunc, Portia Brissoni, Maris Macchioni, America Vincenzi, Maria Schiavoni, Richard Ranaglia, and Rolando Ranaglia.
Those who knew Gary remember him as a warm-hearted gentle, comical, yet empathetic man, who touched many lives; possessed intellect, humility, a deep compassion for children, animals, and the less fortunate. His sister Joni is planning a memorial event at a later date.
Gary graduated from St. Joan of Arc School in Hershey in 1963; and Hershey High School in 1967; he served as President of the Pennsylvania Hi-Y / Tri-Hi-Y.
In 1969, he completed the U.S. Air Force Accelerated Flight Medical Training Program; served from 1968 to 1971. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, held USAF roles: Emergency Medical First Responder at Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam Hospital; Medic in the Flight Surgeons Office at Edwards in California; where he supported NASA astronauts; finishing his service at a helicopter training mission in Bishop, California.
Following the USAF, he enrolled at Butte and Chico State Colleges in California; then at Penn State "Capitol Campus," where he was the Stage Manager in the Drama Program also for traveling plays for elementary school children; Program Director at YMCA Camp Shikellimy. Lastly, earned a Bachelor of Philosophy at Penn State main campus, achieved Dean's List in 1977.
He was formerly a real estate appraiser; Manager of Ames Hardware in Hershey, a fundraiser for The Kidney Foundation of Central PA, and finally was fulfilled by owning Heartland Financial Mortgage in Hershey. In 2012, he moved to Michigan; he worked part-time for the Benzie County Planning Commission.
Gary loved teaching cooking classes at the Hershey Italian Lodge. Over thirty years, he taught over 1,000 students. He was an Advisory Board Member of GemmasAngels.org, a non-profit created in honor of his mother by his brother Michael, which serves the needy.
He proudly published the book, 'Letters from a Vietnam Vet: Words I Could Not Write' in 2018, a memoir of would-be wartime letters sent to his mother.
He leaves behind sister Marlene Welden of Seguin, TX, husband Rex, son Taylor; brother Mike Macchioni of Hershey, children Jason, Matthew, Lisa; sister Joni Rockhill of Royersford, PA, husband Lee, children Liana Rose and Zane Randal; Aunts Rosalinda Fahey, Doris Ranaglia, Jeannette Ranaglia; thirteen great-nieces & nephews; many cousins; a stepson Gary Forry, wife Michelle, sons Scott, Tommy, and Chad. Also, Gary is survived by his third wife, Kathie.
Preceded in death by his dear mother Gemma Rose (DiGuiseppi) Macchioni; father Nordi Joseph Macchioni; sister Carole Barnett; grandparents Guiseppe Macchioni & Rosa (Corfidi) Macchioni, Francesca (Zeppelli) DiGuiseppi Ranaglia & Sabatino Ranaglia; aunts / uncles: Angela Pasquini, Louis Macchioni, Emilia Paioletti, Rebela Bunc, Portia Brissoni, Maris Macchioni, America Vincenzi, Maria Schiavoni, Richard Ranaglia, and Rolando Ranaglia.
Those who knew Gary remember him as a warm-hearted gentle, comical, yet empathetic man, who touched many lives; possessed intellect, humility, a deep compassion for children, animals, and the less fortunate. His sister Joni is planning a memorial event at a later date.
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