Gary W. Hudson

Gary W. Hudson, 82, of Southington, entered eternal rest, peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2024, under the care of UConn Health Center. Gary was predeceased by his parents, Stanley & Erma Hudson, in-laws, Eric & Grace Nygard, as well as his brother-in-law, Paul Nygard.

Gary leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Sharon, his son, Gary Brian Hudson and fiancée Shannon DeFeo and his daughter, Jill Klein along with her husband Ryan, all of Southington. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Donna Baccei and husband Jim of Terryville and Cheryl Hudson and partner Gene Dove of Fayetteville, NC and his sister-in-law, Diane Nygard of Southington. He also leaves behind grandchildren, Meghan Teele, Dillon Hudson and Madison Klein, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gary proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a devout family man and spent his professional life as VP of Corporate Lending for various banks due to mergers and acquisitions where he built strong ties in the Southington Community. He had a love for golf, NASCAR and gardening, but his greatest love came over 55 years ago, Sharon. Their courtship lasted a little over 5 years and Gary ended up moving 1 house away from Sharon before they were married and started their family.

Aside from a strong work ethic where he was the first to arrive at the bank to start the coffee for his team and the last to leave, Gary could be found manicuring his garden and flower beds and methodically leaving laser edge lines in his lawn. His attention to detail and the beauty of his gardens had passers-by stop and ask to tour the grounds. This got the attention of the local garden club and town newspaper where he won "Best in Class!" He also had a famed peach tree that Gary Brian and Jill would frequent every Saturday, collecting the week's harvest.

Every year for 2 weeks, Gary and his family could be found at the Sea View in RI and East Matunuck Beach where he, alongside his family, would spend hours on the beach, listening to the crashing waves and collecting shells. This was so consistent each year, other families would eventually join and their groups got bigger and bigger. 

With a smile that would light up a room and a joke that would leave everyone in stitches, Gary was the life of the party and everyone gravitated around him. 

Some of the fondest memories of Gary that will be treasured forever are him teaching Gary Brian the importance of a firm handshake and eye contact, their bonding at the Yale Bowl, playing a round of 18 and nights spent with Jill, sitting on the floor agreeing on their favorite Kenny Rogers song and dancing the night away and sitting on the beach and teaching her about the finer things in life.

Later in life, Gary could be found mingling in the aisles at Stop and Shop with patrons and was a regular to the staff, especially to Frank, his butcher! He loved the 5-mile walks he took with Sharon where they would converse and relish in the family they raised, as well as plotting the next restaurant they would like to try or their next trip to East Matunuck.

Gary's family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to the teams at the UConn Health Center and New Britain General Hospital for their compassion and the excellent care provided. 

A funeral service will be celebrated at 12 noon on Friday, July 12, 2024 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Burial with military honors will follow in South End Cemetery, Southington. Calling hours will be held before the service from 10 a.m. - 12 noon at the funeral home. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.