Gary Michael Goldstein

Gary Michael Goldstein- Gary was born October 22 and passed on June 30th at the age of 66. Gary was a big man and everything about him was big, from his passion for his family and friends, his love of drum corps- especially the Rochester Crusaders, advocating for the Edgerton Neighborhood, to his opinions about everything. But at the end of any heated discussion, one knew that his heart was the biggest part of him and he loved deeply. Gary's greatest love was his wife of 27 years, Donna (Formicola) Goldstein, whom he called Bella-Donna. He also had a special love for the youngest members of his family, playing Santa at holiday parties to doing magic tricks with disappearing coins. Those same tricks were often used to entertain kids on his buses as he created strong relationships with his students from his U of R after school program, as well as other bus companies that he drove for.

Gary was a talker and could strike up a conversation anywhere, and often that person became a friend by the end of the conversation. When his name came up on your cell phone, you knew 30 minutes was the minimum-but closer to an hour.

Gary was predeceased by his parents Sidney and Lorraine Goldstein, brother Douglas Alan Goldstein and brother-in-law Kenneth Bennett. Besides his wife Donna, Gary is survived by his aunt Judy (Michael) Herron, sisters, Karen Bennett, Deb (Greg) May, Doreen Lapa (James Piano), Laurie (David) Santarossa, brother-in-laws Benny (Sandra) Formicola and Bart (Patty) Formicola. Gary had numerous nieces and nephews, but was especially close and proud of his nephew Derek May.

Service will be Saturday, July 16th with calling hours from 10-12 with a service immediately following at Rochester Cremation at 1118 Long Pond Road, Rochester, NY 14626.