Wells, Maine
1936 - 2024 (Age 87)
Gary Wayne Wulf, 87, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at his beach house in Wells, Maine, his "happy place".
Gary was born in 1936, in Aurora Illinois. In 1939 he moved to Mendota, Illinois, with his parents, Dallas and Emily, and brother David, where he remained a life-long resident.
Gary graduated from Mendota High in 1954, where he participated and excelled in track and cross country, and found the love of his life, Nancy Dana. Gary and Nancy married on September, 9, 1956.
Gary attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, graduating with a B.A., and earned his Masters degree in Business at Northern Illinois University in 1972. During his long career, he held positions in management at Dekalb-Ogle Telephone, Northern Illinois University (Non-academic Personnel Director), the University of New Hampshire System (Director/Vice Chancellor), and finished with 35+ years of labor negotiations and consulting, mainly with New Hampshire State agencies and municipalities. He retired in 2022, at the age of 85. He was an Eagle Scout and Navy Reservist.
For those of you who knew Gary, we hope that the following list of words from the story of his life bring a fond memory and a smile to you...... fireworks, Ellen Oaks, Oldsmobiles, summer concerts, negotiations, cross country, convertibles, sweet corn festival, feeding pet seagulls (Buddy, Mrs., Jr.), beer can collection, curling, antiques (strictly Victorian!), Patriots, tobogganing, cruises, breweries, lions, Uncle No-no, Lake Ripley, Jarts, Hilltop, Thanksgiving, pie votes (mincemeat!), married barracks, shag carpeting, the White Sox.
Gary is survived by his brother David Wulf of Landers, Wyoming, his sons David (Elvia) of Los Angeles, Bradley (Sheila), of York, Maine, Michael (Marlene) of Canoga Park, CA, grandchildren Dana and Emily, the love he found later in life, Marilyn Greenawalt, his special sister-in-law Kandice Zolper, brother-in-laws Charles Dana and Richard Dana, family friend Steven Lafargue, and the many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that greatly loved and will miss him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, parents Dallas and Emily, in-laws Betty Dana, Beth Dana, Bill Zolper, Virginia Dana, Eldridge Dana, niece Lori Dana, and nephew Madrick Musgrove.
Gary's cremation has been carried out and a Church service and memorial, to be held in Mendota, will be decided at a later date.
Gary was a very special person. He gave me and my family many wonderful beach memories. He was such a delight to visit with. I feel so lucky to have had chance to spend time with him and Nancy and then to later meet Marilyn. I have made a donation to one of my favorite charities in his honor.
Nancy Steves
August 30, 2024 | Friend
I met Nancy in 1981 when we both worked at the New England Center. I was attending UNH and lived with Nancy and Gary my last year of college. They used to say I was their adopted daughter from Texas. I have so many wonderful memories. One of my favorites is when my husband got front row tickets behind home plate to a White Sox game against the Texas Rangers in 2016. Gary came to the game decked out in White Sox gear. He was surrounded by Rangers fans but he didn´t care. He was going...
Pat Elkins
August 27, 2024
I will miss my oldest cousin Gary. When we were kids he always looked out for me and protected me. He had a great sense of humor, a generous and loving heart, and enjoyed cars like I did. I will miss him very much. May he rest in peace in Jesus arms. Donald
Donald and Linda Shearer
August 25, 2024 | East Moline, IL | Family
I lived next door to Gary & Nancy in Ellen Oaks when I was young! I was their babysitter for the 3 boys & became good fiends as I got older! I would visit them often, sitting in a bean bag watching Batman! Gary would join us & we all laughed & had a good time! I would take trips with them riding in their convertible car to Mendota! Gary had a good heart, treated people with respect & yes he had a great smile! I looked up to Gary, considering him to be my uncle! Gary was even in my wedding...
Marcia (Butts) Tewksbury
August 19, 2024 | Friend
I have so many memories of Gary. Starting back to 1966 when Tom and I moved to Ellen Oaks and met Gary and Nancy. We had 4 kids, they had 3, they all became forever loved kids for both families. Nancy and I were best friends, we shopped, crafted, partied, laugh, cried, shared stories, forever friends. My Tom passed, Nancy did too. I e say Gary called me and asked me to go for lunch with him That was the beginning of an ever and forever love. Gary was kind, caring, sweet, generous, smart,...
Marilyn Greenawalt joy18
August 15, 2024
Marilyn Greenawalt
August 14, 2024 | Friend
