Gary Grathwohl

Gary Grathwohl passed away peacefully with loved ones at his side on November 14, 2024, at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan. Born on January 26, 1960, Gary's life was a testament to the power of family, faith, friends and creating smiles.
Gary was the son of Mary Lou & Joe Grathwohl. Gary was humble, kind, friendly, with a big heart, and he was always seeking to help others. Gary's legacy is now carried on by his surviving brothers: Kent Grathwohl (Meg) of Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Tom Grathwohl (Dorothy Jordan) of Atlanta, GA. Gary was also a proud Uncle to Michael, Nathan (Rachel), and Evan Grathwohl who all live in the greater Detroit area. Each of them carries a piece of Gary's spirit within them as he sought to create smiles and to be a constant source of love and wisdom in their lives.
Through the years, Gary managed various family businesses, and he loved to cook. This passion for cooking evolved into building a successful food truck business known as "Pigs By Bigs". You could always see him smiling when he was able to fill someone's belly. He created a large following and we will all miss his signature pulled pork sandwich with a smoked apple tree accent. That was his "secret sauce".
Gary loved dogs and his "boys", Renegade and Maverick, meant the world to him. We were able to bring the "boys" to the hospital for a last visit with Gary before he left us last week. This was a touching moment for all! And per Gary's wish, the dogs will now go with Cousin David Grathwohl to his family farm in North Carolina.
Gary's cancer journey was difficult, and in October he entered a very limited "trial" drug program that will help others to recover in the future. Gary was proud of this legacy. Throughout this journey Kent orchestrated numerous "bucket list" experiences that brought BIG smiles to Gary. This past summer we had Front St celebrations in Niles. You could also find Kent flying Gary & Tom all over coastal Michigan where they could be found having lunch on Mackinac Island, standing on the plane pontoons enjoying Pictured Rocks vistas in Lake Superior, visiting Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, landing on Hubbard Lake at Kent's cottage, and landing on Rennie Lake at the Grathwohl family cottage legacy (CC49) in Traverse City for a family reunion celebration featuring Gary.
Gary loved to travel, and though he didn't do it often, Oh how he loved his international trips to Japan and the Isle of Man.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents Mary Lou & Joe and his brother Jimmy. A combined memorial service for Gary and Mary Lou (who died on 7/31/24) will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024 at Brown Funeral Home at 6:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m. Gary and Mary Lou will be laid to rest next to Joe and Jimmy at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.
Memories of Gary may be left for his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.