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BORN
1953
DIED
2015
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Gary Niles Obituary
1953 - 2015SHAFTSBURY, VT. Gary Raymond Niles, 61, passed away unexpectedly June 13, 2015 at Albany Medical Center. Gary was born in North Adams, MA on December 24, 1953 the son of Raymond and Mary (Wilcox) Niles. Gary was educated in both Pownal and Bennington schools, graduating from Mt. Anthony Union High School and earning his Bachelor Degree from the University of Vermont. Gary taught Physical Education in Australia for three years and for several schools in New Hampshire. After teaching, Gary worked for Morrissey Construction and Southern Vermont College. He owned and operated Zachary's Country Store in White Creek from 1995 to 2009. At the time of his death Gary was employed by Hannaford's Super Market. Gary loved sports, especially baseball. He was instrumental in the start up of the Pownal Little League and coached there for a number of years. Gary played for both American Legion Post 13 and the Bennington Generals and was a Chicago Cubs baseball fan. He also was a diehard NY Football Giants fan, and enjoyed fishing, kayaking and spending time at Lake St. Catherine. Gary loved animals and had a passion for taking in strays. He cherished time spent with his family and friends. Gary is survived by his wife, the former Debora Pedercini of Shaftsbury whom he married on June 26, 1982 in Pownal, his mother, Mary Niles of Shaftsbury, sisters, Diane Niles, Terri Pettibone and her husband, Sam all of Shaftsbury, father-in-law, Roger Pedercini and companion, Hilda Fitzpatrick of Williamstown, MA, mother-in-law, Carol Sebastino of Pownal, brothers-in-law, Craig Pedercini (Karen) of Williamstown, Keith Pedercini (Jeanne) of Pownal, sister-in-law, Lisa Wilcox of Williamstown and former brother-in-law, Robert Wilcox of Wells. Nieces and nephews, Whitney and Cody Pettibone, Jonathan Wilcox, Caleb and Nicole Pedercini. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Gary will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT. Interment will be private. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be held Thursday, June 18, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. when the family will be in attendance. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Gary's memory may be made to the Chestnut Stickney Fund of West Mountain Animal Hospital or Infinity Foster Program, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201. To send the family personal email condolences please visit : www.sheafuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gary Niles
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Craig
October 21, 2015
Thinking of you Brother
Ron Gagnon
July 20, 2015
Debbie, Diane, Terri and Mrs Niles,
I just heard of your loss of Gary and want to pass along my condolences. To lose a love one is diddicult. Many memories of Gary and his family.
Thank you for them.
Helen Telford
July 1, 2015
Debbie, There are no words to describe the way we are feeling. We along with everyone else have wonderful memories of Gary. he was a character!!!!! He was great to our families through the years. He will be missed so much. Were just a stones throw away if you need us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Debbie. The Cross, Telford Families
Katherine Tracy
June 23, 2015
Debbie & Family
I would see Gary at Hannaford and he always looked content this is how I will remember him. May Peace be with you. Kathy Tracy
Nora Buck
June 21, 2015
Dear Niles Family - Please accept my condolences. I met Gary many years ago when he played ball with my brothers, Keith and Scott Buck. He always had a kind word and although many years passed between our running into each other, he greeted me each time (as Bucky's little sister) as though no time had passed at all. He was a warm, welcoming, genuine, and humble person. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope the memories you've made with him will come to you at just the right moments to lift you up, make you smile, and soothe you. Peace . . . Nora
Deb Blanchard
June 20, 2015
Diane & Family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
June 20, 2015
The Niles family: Sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Much too young. He was a great person and will be sorely missed. Please know that I am in your thoughts and prayers. Judy (Taff) Smith
Dennis Bates
June 19, 2015
Havent seen Gary through the years, but when i saw this. .. i felt it. Speaks to what a kind man he was, as well as one helluva ball player. Condolences to Deb and all.
Jim Edmundson
June 19, 2015
I am saddened to hear of Gary's passing. I knew Gary from our UVM days. Though it has been decades since I last saw Gary (Roger's Roost, Pownal), I thought about him often over the years. He was one of the great guys.
Tom Rounds
June 17, 2015
So sorry to hear of Garys passing. I lost touch with him over the years, but remember his great Little League coaching skills for us Pownal boys. I played for him and always remember the rides to games in the VW bug! What a super laugh and smile. He will be remembered as someone who gave to others. See you on the other side coach!
The Rounds Family
June 17, 2015
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalm 119:76.
mike ritter
June 17, 2015
Debbie so sorry to hear that gary passed away.I have great memories of him as a teacher and friend, coaching us in hoops and baseball in high school.
June 17, 2015
So sorry for your loss.
Neighbors,
Sue & Dave Langlois
Patience Marcum(Mantello)
June 17, 2015
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing.Sending prayers to his family.
Brenda Wilcox
June 17, 2015
Wow. I still can't believe it.. The lake, Loudon for the races, interstate baseball, the parties. Halloween! Christmas Eve for so many years. The dancing. I heard a song yesterday and thought of Gary. " the way to heaven is a rough and rocky road, you gotta stop and smell the roses along the way" Gary, you truly smelled the roses along the way. You enjoyed life so much. You made the rest of us enjoy life. Join our fathers and the rest of our family up there. We will see you all again. Bren, Matt, Court, Dan and families.
Margaret &Bruce (Stone )Harris
June 16, 2015
So sorry to hear of Garys passing !prayers to his family and please Except our condolences
June 16, 2015
Hey Gary. Rest Easy. Thank you so much cousin for so frequently stopping by to see Gram and Gramp,and dropping off flowers and lovely plants or visiting for a few minutes. You were such a kind KIND soul. I miss you and pray for you and the family.Cousin Debbie Niles (and GJ)
GAIL Ware DEERY
June 16, 2015
My Dearest Diane, your Mom, & family,
My most heartfelt condolences in the passing of Gary. He will be sorely missed and forever remembered because of the wonderful, fun, caring person that he was. I am glad that I knew him & had a chance to share brief moments of his life. My heart weeps, with yours.
Angel Blessings, my long time friend.
June 16, 2015
Sorry to hear of your loss, thoughts and prayers for all..
The Stratton's
June 16, 2015
Dear Diane and family..So very sorry to hear this sad news. Condolences to your entire family. Sandy Bisson Krawczyk
Gary & Cathy Burgess
June 16, 2015
Dear Terri and family...please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one. So sorry to hear.
LYLE Jelley
June 16, 2015
Coached About 5 years in N. Pownal Little League,Gary said it was fun coaching the kids. Took over the Ladd Brook team,Gary was a great person who cared about the Pownal kids and Gary was one hell of baseball player.
So sorry for your loss
Lyle Jelley
kevin callanan
June 16, 2015
To Gary's family, I am so sorry for your loss. I have great memories of Gary " the red rooster" playing ball for Post 13 's wild bunch. Also the Bennington Generals.
Seems like our paths crossed many times over the years.
I enjoyed working for Gary at Zackary's.
The last few years we would see each other at Hannafords and talk sports always a nice visit.
Debbie, words for you. I don't have. May your memories that you have with him help you through this time of sorrow.
He will be missed.
Lisa Wilcox
June 16, 2015
Forever in our hearts!
Tammy Green
June 16, 2015
No matter what day I seen Gary..he always had a smile for me. Gary will be truly missed...a great man a great friend! The only person in the world to call me Tam-Tam. Fly with the Angels buddy!! Till we meet again.
Susan LeBarron
June 16, 2015
It seems like ages ago but you were all a big part of our lives. Noel and I remember our Dad nicknaming Gary JC.
We are so sorry to hear of his passing.
Thomas Miller
June 16, 2015
I remember Gary trying to teach me the right way to settle under a fly ball to make the catch, I never did quite catch on to it, but he was a great guy for trying to teach me. He was also brutally honest, something to the effect " you'll never make it if you don't master the fundamentals." He was right. I always respected him for that. I still remember those days, fondly. My condolences to his family and friends.
Tammie Ruggles
June 16, 2015
I knew Gary. I thought Gary was a great guy. Sorry for his lost. R.I.P. Gary. You will be missed.
June 16, 2015
Gary will be missed,prayers going to you all
-Deb (Duval) Dufresne
Ed Flynn
June 16, 2015
Very sad to hear of Gary's passing and loss to all his family and friends. Gary and I were roommates at UVM - I learned a lot from him back then. He had such a great sense of humor and was an all round nice guy. Forever a friend. I miss you Gary.
June 16, 2015
What a shock! So sorry to hear of Gary's passing.
Bruce and Faye McCart
Penny O'Dell
June 16, 2015
Aunt Peggy and family there are no words that will help at this time just remember what a great job you and Uncle Ray did raising him into the amazing man he became. Anyone who knew him loved him. will love and miss him always.
Bill Haag
June 16, 2015
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever. -
Cousin Bill&Debby
2000 Party
Bill Haag
June 16, 2015
1987 Party
Bill Haag
June 16, 2015
Deb Chenaille - Lewis
June 15, 2015
Deb, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. I will always have wonderful memories of my "first boyfriend" and all the baseball games we played together. He was a great guy!
Michael Pierce
June 15, 2015
Debbie, I'm truely sorry to hear about your loss. Gary was a great man and in many ways a role model to me when I was a young man growing up He offered me my first job at Zachary's as a teenager and during that time I learned many things from him. Hard work, respect and being true to your word were just a few. I am happy to say that I formed many fond memories of him during that time. It is clear to see from the messages being posted that Gary made a positive impact in many people's lives. He will be missed by many.
June 15, 2015
So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Josh Telford
Bill Leonard
June 15, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Patty and I send our deepest sympathy to his entire family. Gary and I loved to talk baseball when ever we ran into each other and I will truly miss our conversations. A great guy and a real friend.
Jim (Sparky) Winchester
June 15, 2015
Gary was a fun loving guy who volunteered a good deal of his time for youth baseball in pownal. Gary gave me a nickname that some folks still use to this day. He and Terry Livingston were positive role models for many of us. I was lucky to travel to a couple of Hall of fame games in Cooperstown with him. Also I was a bat boy for the Bennington generals for a few seasons and being around those guys was a lot of fun for a young sports-minded lad. When he went to Australia we kept a correspondence going- not an easy thing to do back in the days of the hand written letter!
I was lucky enough to host Gary and Deb during their trip to Alaska and we shared some beautiful sights together.
Gary was a good guy who provided a positive example to myself and many others. His sudden passing serves as a reminder as to just how short and precious our time is here. All my best to Deb and Daine and the rest of the family.
Bill&Barb Reynolds
June 15, 2015
Deb I"m sorry for your loss, Gary was picky and fun to be around our thoughts are with u and family
Ashley Bolster
June 15, 2015
Deb
I am so sorry to hear about Gary. I remember him always being so good to us kids growing up, and always being so kind to everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ashley Bolster
Stephanie Wilson Becker
June 15, 2015
Deb, I'm so sorry to hear of Gary passing. I love you both so much and you were both always there for me when I worked at the store. I miss you and can't believe he's gone. My heart is hurting right now. Love you
Raymond Therrien
June 15, 2015
We all meet people in our lives that make an impact on us Gary was one of those . A quiet man until you got to know him . We had some real interesting conversations while working together . I going to miss you bud the work place won't be the same without you .
June 15, 2015
Deb
So sorry to hear about Gary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
JoAnn and Ray Therrien
Debbie Tetreault
June 15, 2015
Diane & family,
So sorry about hearing about Gary! Prayers to all of you!
Debbie Palmer Tetreault
June 15, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Debbie. Thinking of you and your family and sending prayers. My parents are Marion and Ernie Bolster, just in case you don't recognize my last name. Gary was such a great person to many of us in the Crik with Zachary's Store!
dee dee sweeney
June 15, 2015
We are Sorry for your loss, thinking of you and your family at this sad time. The Sweeney Family
Trish Stefanovich
June 15, 2015
Deb I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was always so good to me, and will be remember for his kindness and for being so involved in the community.
Trish (couch) Stefanovich
Sandy LePoidevin
June 15, 2015
Teri,
So sorry to hear of your loss, keeping you in my prayers.
Rich Bogardus
June 15, 2015
I will deeply miss Gary. His knowledge of sports was a source of daily discussions. As a kid, my family always traveled with the Bennington Generals to their games. Gary was an integral part of the team, and he was one heck of a first baseman. I remember fondly watching a game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown in which Gary smacked three home runs. My condolences go out to all of his friends and family. Gonna miss ya Gary!
Lynn and Harry
June 15, 2015
Debbie, Aunt Peggy, Diane Teri and family,
We are so saddened to hear of my little(10 days younger) cousin's untimely death. So many wonderful memories, and though we are parted by distance the love will always be there.
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Jun
18
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Shea Family Funeral Homes - Bennington213 West Main St., Bennington, VT 05201
Jun
19
Funeral service
1:00 p.m.
Shea Family Funeral Homes - Bennington213 West Main St., Bennington, VT 05201
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