Gary Blender Obituary
Date of Death: Sunday, March 10, 2024
Gary M. Blender, passed away, on March 10, 2024, at the age of 68. Devoted husband of Danit Blender of 42 years. Loving father of Sean Blender. Dear brother of Joel Blender and his wife Roberta, and Mark Blender. Cherished uncle of Allison and Christian Samay, Maria and Seth Blender, Michael and Jillian Paterno, and 8 great nieces and nephews. Gary is also survived by his beloved mother-in-law, Dolly Kolton, and sister-in-law, Anat Kolton.
Born in Paterson in 1956, Gary would settle in Livingston, where he and Danit raised their family. He was an avid golfer, as well as an all-around sports enthusiast, especially when it came to the Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Rams, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Gary was known for his passion for travel, particularly his beloved Israel. Prior to his career as a tour director, he was a store manager for Saks Fifth Avenue. Above all else, family was always the most important thing in Gary's life.
Memorial donations in Gary's honor may be made to IDF https://www.idf.il/en/
A private gathering will be held for immediate family members only.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jim Lerner
May 3, 2024
I was so saddened to hear about Gary. We were at the University of Maryland together and he was just a great guy. I have lots of great memories from then.
Lots of fun to hang out with. Condolences to his family and friends.
Ben Taylor
April 5, 2024
Gary and I would also talk shop, talking job stuff, talk Israel, etc. whenever we would run into each other in DC or NYC. Gonna miss seeing him around and chatting with him! Am Yisrael Chai!
Ellen Hirschberg Csaki
March 17, 2024
Gary was a classmate and friend from grammar school through high school, We worked together during hs summers and at the same time at Saks. He will always be remembered for his great sense of humor, ,wonderful smile and warm personality. Condolences to his family & friends. May Gary´s memory be for a blessing.
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Jane Khoury
March 15, 2024
Gary and I were fellow tour guides and worked together once or twice a year. We shared a wonderful DC tour where the daughter of a senator was on the trip and the students were given the VIP treatment everywhere they went, including meeting the Vice President. Gary and I loved that trip and were reminiscing about it Saturday when we enjoyed a few minutes to chat at Mount Vernon. He was his lively, friendly, outgoing self looking forward to a busy guiding season. I will miss you, Gary. You were a cheerful and kind colleague and there is a hole in the guiding community that will not be filled.
Julia Rust
March 15, 2024
Best tour guide!!
Michael Ruggieri
March 14, 2024
I met Gary at the International Tour Management Institute, the tour guide school we both attended in 2013. We both were leaving long careers in 'normal' jobs trying to change up our lives by working in the travel industry. Gary and I bonded immediately, both being New Yorkers, and being around the same age. Gary and I worked for the same tour companies over the last decade and we became great friends. I always called him my "brother from another mother" and his sudden passing has hit me as hard as if I lost my own brother. I spoke with Leslie, a mutual friend who worked with Gary for a few days before he passed and she told me that he was in great spirits and he was keeping everybody happy and laughing. She wanted me to pass that on to his family so they know that his last days were wonderful, doing what he loved. Sadly. I'd never met his family. But I hope they see this and take comfort in knowing that his last few days were a good ones. RIP Gary, my brother, I will miss you.
Roger Grenfell
March 14, 2024
Gary´s good and kind nature always made one feel at ease. He was always willing to help and was so kind. The world is less without him. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
Cheryl Cortese Bufis
March 13, 2024
Gary and I became friends at EP middle school. We talked and
Joked about our love for our football teams---mine, the ny jets and Gary, the LA Rams. Gary was the nicest, friendliest person! This news is so sad and heartbreaking! My prayers go out to his family. God bless you Gary...RIP.
Pat Barklow
March 13, 2024
May he rest in peace
Isaac Kidd
March 13, 2024
My condolences to the Blender family.
Great guy, splendid personality. I worked under his leadership @ Saks 5th Ave, Short Hills, it was always great to chat with him.
Angel Angley
March 13, 2024
I am Garys friend and one of his Managers at Worldstrides. I was immediately saddened to hear of his passing. I spent Sunday afternoon with Gary and several others and as always he had us all laughing. Our Course Leader community will forever miss Gary. My thoughts and prayers are with you all..
Kerri Loughlin
March 12, 2024
I´m sad to hear of Gary´s passing - much too soon! I was Gary´s operations manager when he first joined DA and he was so much fun to get to know, had a wonderful sense of humor and an all-around great man. I knew he´d make a wonderful TD and he did! My thoughts are with all of you who loved him and know he touched so many lives.
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