Gary Pace

Pace, Gary James

SAUK CITY - Gary James Pace, the world's greatest hugger, died on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at the age of 74. During his life, he lived in several Wisconsin cities including Dodgeville, Monona, Monroe, Janesville, and Sauk City. Gary served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, in Anniston, Ala., and Kaiserslautern, Germany. He also served in the Wisconsin Army Reserves in the 1970s. He owned the Pace Bootery in Dodgeville from 1972 to 1985. He then worked at Lands' End, WDMP, Drexel, Home Depot, and Nonns. After his retirement, he worked part time at the Mobil station in Sauk City. Gary enjoyed fishing, bird hunting, camping, gardening, cooking, playing cards, golfing, and spending time with his family and friends. If you ever were lucky enough to receive a hug from Gary during his lifetime, you know how spectacular those hugs were. He truly was the world's greatest hugger. "Hug like you mean it." ~ Gary James Pace.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Lyle Lake Pace and Dorothy Anne (James) Pace; his daughter, Judith Renee Pace; his son, Mitchel Gradel Pace; and his sister, Carol Ann (Pace) Hebert-Schultz. Gary is missed by his fiancée, Janet (Nordeng) Brown (Sauk City); his daughter and son-in-law, Christyn and Jason Stephens (Prairie du Sac); his grandchildren, Odin and Dhara Stephens (Prairie du Sac); his sister and brother-in-law, Patti and Jim Blabaum (Dodgeville); his nieces, Tammy (Hebert) Hintch (John Willborn) (Belleville), Carrie (Blabaum) Miller (Matt) (Dodgeville), and Jamie Blabaum (Platteville); his nephew, Carson Blabaum (fiancée, Ariel Helt) (Dodgeville); extended family members, many good friends, and former coworkers.

A virtual memorial service will be held in early February. Updates regarding the memorial service can be found at the Hooverson Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation in Gary's name.

hooversonfuneralhomes.com