JEFFERSON/EASTHAM - Gary C. Gaskin, 79, of Jefferson and Eastham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, after a long period of declining health. Born on June 6, 1946 in Worcester to the late Arnold C. Gaskin and Grace I. (Stolnacke) Gaskin, Gary was the oldest of three sons.
Gary graduated from Wachusett Regional High School, Worcester Junior College, and Anna Maria College with a degree in criminal justice.
He served in the United States Army in Germany. He was a member of the military ski patrol on Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, in Garmisch. He later served in the military police in Frankfort, Germany.
Returning home, he was the manager of the Alpine Ski Shop in Framingham. He then joined the Holden Police Department where he served for over 30 years, retiring as a sergeant.
Gary was an accomplished carpenter, building a 14-foot water skiing boat, furniture and his home in Jefferson where he raised his beautiful family.
Gary enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, camping, hiking, boating, skiing, and was a certified scuba diver. He loved body surfing at the beach on Cape Cod, always the last one to leave the water at the end of the day.
Gary is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen (Peterson), his daughter, Rachel Nedic (Sasa) of Pennsylvania, and son, Samuel Gaskin (Elizabeth) of Holyoke, and his three cherished grandchildren, Emmett, Winifred, and Robin Gaskin. He leaves a brother, Stephen, nieces, Lori Gaskin and Pamela French, and a nephew, Scott Peterson. He was predeceased by a brother, Jeffrey Gaskin.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Gary’s family from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 20th, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 346 Shrewsbury St. Holden, MA 01520, or Wachusett Greenways, P.O. Box 121, Holden, MA 01520.
To share a message or offer condolences, please visit his obituary at www.milesfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


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