Garski, Gary Neil BROOKFIELD. Born in Milwaukee on May 18, 1959 to Theodore and Joan (nee Jazinski) Garski. Born to Eternal Life Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Beloved son of Joan and the late Theodore. Dear brother of Nancy, Donna, Gregory (Tina), and Kevin (Kim). Fond uncle of Jacob (Erin), Nora and Adam and great-uncle to Julia and Gracey. Further survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. A Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial for Gary was held on Saturday, May 31, at Saint Adalbert Parish in Rosholt, WI. Interment was at the Saint Adalbert Church Cemetery. A Memorial Service to celebrate Gary's Life will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 3:00PM, at the Funeral Home. Visitation will take place from 1:00PM until the time of Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Cardiovascular Disease Research Center c/o the Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Gary was the owner and operator of "Not Just Nuts", a candy and confectionary store on North Avenue in Wauwatosa for over 25 years.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Jun. 8, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Garski

Sponsored by Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral and Cremation Services.

44 Entries

Daniel S. Levine

October 25, 2023

I am sorry to hear of Gary's passing. We visited his store, Not Just Nuts around 2000 and bought a box of candy to give to friends we hadn't seen in years. Well that candy was eaten before we even got to lunch. There was something special about that store, so much so that I remember it and his name to this day.

Renee D

January 31, 2020

I moved away from Milwaukee more than 5 years ago. I've been back several times but never had enough time to stop by my favorite candy shop. I was determined to get there this time so I googled Not Just Nuts, hoping that they were still in business. I had no idea that Gary Garski had passed away. He was the nicest person. He knew my face and always remembered what candies and nuts that I would purchase and he would also remember what I would buy for my daughter. You don't get good customer service like that anymore. He will always be one of my favorite Milwaukee Memories.

Jim Gaulke

June 2, 2019

I was in Tosa last week going down North Ave and thought, it would be nice if I could still stop in and talk to Gary and get some chocolate covered peanuts.

Dennis Daniels

June 11, 2018

I was in High School and I would stop in his store before my trumpet lessons at Beihoffs. As an adult Gary remembered me and knew I wanted toffee peanuts, and for my wife Swedish fish. Great products but an even better person. Rest in Heaven my friend....

Susan

March 10, 2015

I think of Gary every time I pass the store, then I say a prayer for everyone who misses him, especially his family.

Anonymous

March 9, 2015

I just recently learned of Gary's passing and had to say something. I was born in Wauwatosa and have very many fond memories of him as well as Not Just Nuts. I would come in all the time and he always referred to me as "princess". My grandfather would always keep malted milk balls next to his bed in a drawer for when I'd come and visit after we moved away - and they were always from here. I have many great memories and learned the types of candy I enjoy thanks to Gary. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories I will always have and the happiness you shared with others.

Kathy

November 15, 2014

Couldn't believe it when I passed "Not Just Nuts" today to see it closed and then have a friend tell me that the owner has passed away. From the time my grandson was two until he was in school, almost every Tuesday we'd go to the candy shop after our lunch. Gary was always so kind to him, trying to hand pick "please just the red ones" gummie bears because those were my grandson's favorites!!! And as we walked out, we always heard "see ya later, alligator" and of couse, my grandson would turn around to a smiling Gary with the "after while crocodile". Such fond memories!! Our sympathies to the family.....he will be greatly missed by MANY!

Lynn

October 15, 2014

Always a smile on his face, Gary made me feel like his store was home every time I visited from age 10-30, the last time I was home. I took my family to get some candy and he remembered me, asking about candy cigarettes. I left with a smile on my own face. Rest in peace, candy man.

Mindy Necci

September 19, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Gary. My husband and I loved to buy our candy from Gary. He often gave free samples and made the experience wonderful. he has touched many lives and will truly be missed.

Allie Wilson

September 9, 2014

I am deeply saddened to hear of Gary's passing. I loved Nut Just Nuts and was a very nice part of my childhood. It was so special going to his store and buying delicious candy. He always had a smile on his face and you could really tell he loved what he did. You and your family will be in my prayers.

September 2, 2014

Very sad to hear of his passing. I so loved going into the store. He would always give me a hard time about being on the phone with a smile or a joke when I came in the store. He will truly be missed!!!

My condolences to his family! Very nice man!!

leroy rinzel

August 31, 2014

Best person. Always listened and let you know what was happening around town. A good man.

August 29, 2014

I took my son to Not Just Nuts after every haircut at Angell's on Lloyd. It was a great tradition that we always looked forward to. Gary was always welcoming and friendly. We stopped by today and were very saddened that the store was closed. We are very saddened to hear about Gary's passing. He will be very missed.

Kelly and Peter Baran

August 23, 2014

My husband and I both visited daily and Gary would say need more penguins referring to the gummy peachy penguins. We were shocked to hear of his passing and will miss him. RIP

August 22, 2014

We frequently went to Gary's store and enjoyed conversations with him as well as buying candy for the family. I bought Australian licorice from him for my husband.

We( my family) is so sorry for your huge lossGary was a really nice man and we will miss him.

Sara Phillips

August 21, 2014

Gary was a huge part of my childhood. Even though I didn't know his name, he knew mine, and my regular order--a pound of candy corn every two weeks. He even remembered me when I came back as an adult. He was a wonderful man who brought light to a dark childhood, and I will always be thankful.

Jane Kassens

August 21, 2014

I live in Georgia now, but being raised in Tosa, knew of Gary's candy store. I would visit a couple times a year to chat with Gary, buy my favorite licorice mix. and ask every time: "Do they make candy raisins anymore"??? In mid May I was visiting in town again and stopped in. I found out his birthday was the day before mine, and I once again asked about the candy raisins. Gary grinned and pleasantly surprised me this time my telling me yes, candy raisins were being made again! In his sweet nature, Gary gave me a bag of candy raisins at no charge to celebrate my "milestone" birthday. I just found out today, that he passed. I am extremely saddened, but so happy that so many Tosans, current as well as former, along with many other people, were positively touched by his presence. Trips to Tosa will definitely be lacking in the pleasant time I had chatting with Gary and shopping in his candy store, excited like a big kid again. My deepest sympathy to Gary's parents, siblings and other relatives. Everyone in Tosa misses you Gary!!!! Gary's family: please see the Facebook Group "You know your from Wauwatosa...." just to see how much Gary was loved.

Elise Hetzel

August 21, 2014

As a child my mother would take my sister and I to the candy store. She would give each of us a quarter and allow us to pick out whatever we wanted. Gary was always so patient and kind. Through the years he recognized me and would ask if I had my quarter. Now, some 20 years later, I brought my own daughters there. Gary was just as sweet and nice with them. He was a staple of the neighborhood and a quality man. He will be greatly missed.

August 15, 2014

A day doesn't go by that I don't think of you Gary. You were always there for me, caring, helpful, generous, funny, we always had something to talk and laugh about. I miss you greatly. You were much loved. Donna

SANDY AND EVAN SZYMKOWSKI

July 17, 2014

I WAS SHOCKED TO STOP BY THE STORE YESTERDAY TO FIND THAT MY FRIEND GARY HAD PASSED SUDDENLY. ALWAYS FRIENDLY AND WARM, HE GAVE MY NOW 17 YEAR OLD SON HIS FIRST BLUE SAFETY SUCKER WHEN HE WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD.. HE WILL ALWAYS BE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD "CANDY MAN"AND HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US WHO SHOPPED AND SHARED CONVERSATION AND SWEETS WITH HIM.. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY.. SANDY AND EVAN

July 16, 2014

I was Gary neighbor when I owned Speedway Sales and Service. My daughters would visit him often. After we sold the business and my daughters grew up they went into Garys shop and even after many years he still recognized them as, "the Gaulke girls." I used to stop about once or twice a year for my chocolate covered peanuts and to catch up on happenings around the neighbor hood. I will miss those visits. Gods peace to Garys family and friends.

nicole mc laughlin-davis

July 7, 2014

God Bless his family, My family has been a customer since the day he opened. We use to live right up the block and us five kids we frequent daily and even though we group up and moved away we still made our special trips back to our favorite candy spot. My oldest is now twenty one and I can remember pushing him there in the stroller when he was just a baby. We were so excited to continue to bring our children there. Sorry rambling, guess its still hard to believe. P.s. Thanks mom and sis for the stuffed animals. We will cherish them.

Tiffany Banks

July 7, 2014

We came to the candy store today for our traditional summer visit (We live in AZ now) to find out that the shop is closed bc Gary passed away. We are so saddened by the news of Gary's passing. He was such a kind man and always had a smile on his face! He always remembered my siblings and I even after we moved out of state. We come back home every summer and "Not Just Nuts" is always a stop we make while in WI. Our trips back home will not be the same. We lived just down the block and the candy store was like our second home as kids. I remember calling him as a kid close to closing time saying, "please don't leave I'm on my way!" Tosa just won't be the same and either will our trips back home! RIP wonderful man!

July 2, 2014

Nice man..... The community will miss him. Thoughts out to his family.

"Together Forever"

Marge

July 1, 2014

Tyler Rivera

June 27, 2014

As a young child over twenty years ago, I would visit Gary and request my usual-sour patch kids, hold the reds. Dutifully and with a smile, he would pick out those pesky red ones for me every time. Going to Not Just Nuts and seeing Gary's kind face behind the counter is a childhood memory I'll always cherish. My condolences to all of his family and friends.

Perry Family

June 20, 2014

So sorry to hear. I assumed he was on vacation in Vegas. Our condolences.

June 16, 2014

Gary was so sweet to our daughter, Maeve. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed!!

Steve, Sam & family

June 15, 2014

Gary will be greatly missed - he was a vital part of our neighborhood. He was friends with so many people that he became a link between us, introducing people to each other and sharing news of mutual friends.

Brian&Laurie jasinski

June 14, 2014

sorry for your loss prayers to the garski family

Marge

June 14, 2014

Gary was my very best friend and my soulmate. I Loved him more than anyone can imagine. He taught me so much about life. We shared so many wonderful moments together. Today as I say my final good bye, I will say hello to my new guardian angel who will always be at my side and in my heart.

Vern Swoboda

June 12, 2014

I am glad for the time I got to know Gary and what I learned from him....many things to remember.
I always said being at the store when the regulars strolled in reminded me in a small way of "Mayberry".
-Vern

Melody Ridge

June 12, 2014

Our children loved going there. He was so kind and always commented on whatever they chose-"Excellent selection" or a similar comment. He never seemed to be rushed or annoyed at the long process that the kids followed to get just the right mix! Just a few weeks ago I saw 3 kids coming up the street with their bags from the store and it brought back many memories. What a kind and wonderful man. He will be missed!

Sarah Dempsey

June 11, 2014

We will miss Gary in the neighborhood. I used to live right across the street from Not Just Nuts and would frequently stop at the shop on my way home from school. I would walk in and he would say "Hey Sarah! The usual?" And he would already be scooping at my favorite- swedish fish. I would talk to him and have long conversations with him. He was such a kind man. My friends and I will never forget Gary, and what a great man he was.

Adam Kosbab

June 11, 2014

My freind and I use to love going and get the sour straws there. He and my friend could talk for hours just about life. My you R.I.P

Kay Dudley

June 11, 2014

Dear Family of Gary Garski, I visited Gary's store many times with my granddaughters and was there on the day he died about 12-12:30 with two of them. I told him I would come back later after school with my other two granddaughters and when I did about 3:45, we saw the emergency vehicles and knew something was wrong. Gary was always so nice, patient and knew all the girl's names. In fact the day we were in there that last day, he talked about how he loved the name Gracie and he had a niece with that name. I told him Gary was what my name would have been if I was a boy. Then he shared his siblings names and we said all of those names were of "that era'. We are all shocked and saddened by his sudden death, especially after being in there a few hours before he died and will miss his friendly face and that wonderful store. He was very special to all of us. Our sympathies to his family,
Grandma Kay, Sophie, Chloe, Grace and Eva

June 11, 2014

We will miss Gary in our neighborhood. My kids have been visiting his store for the past 14 yrs. He knew them all by name. We will miss him! My kids were very sad to hear about his passing. God Bless, Jill, Paul, Natalie, Dominic, Gabe and Luke

Gerry and Susette Ford

June 10, 2014

So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. My husband and I stopped fairly recently for a snack while out for a walk in the neighborhood. Gary inquired about our sons by name even though they are now 29 and 33 years old, and have not been customers for many years. I was hoping to make my first visit with my granddaughter this summer. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Alicia

June 9, 2014

I use to live just up the street from his shop and loved to buy candy from him for special occasions. He was always so great to talk to and a really asset to the neighborhood. My condolences to the family for your loss. God be with you.

June 9, 2014

We loved stopping by after swimming lessons. Gary remembered our sons years later. Always a smile!

Robb Dopke

June 9, 2014

I remember many an afternoon stopping in for a treat after the day was over at Pilgrim. Gary would refer to me as Mr. D. or Mr. Dopke especially when any of my students were in the shop. He was a class act and will be missed.

June 9, 2014

We really enjoyed visiting with Gary when we stopped at his shop. He will be greatly missed in our neighborhood. Your family is in our prayers. Dave and Margie Roberts

June 8, 2014

I Love you baby. You will always have a place in my heart. Thank you for all the wonderful memories we shared. YOUR FIANCÉ , Margie

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