Gary Root

Gary L. Root, 87, passed away at his home on Southwick Rd. in Candor on Wednesday August 20, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Donna Root; his three children, Cindi Root, Mark and Chris Root, Jeff and Sandy Root; his step-daughter, Wendy and Mark Hoover; his grandchildren, Alaney Kohler, Abby and Drew Heater, Jen and Karl dodge, Amanda and Greg Corson, Daniel and Nikki Root, Joe and Katrina Root, Meghan Nevius, Allie and Jordan Updyke, David Ulrich and Kate Ferguson, Maddie Hoover and Jacob Elsbree, Brendan Hoover, Andie Hoover, Kyle Guiles, Andrew and Tiera Guiles; and eleven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Sandy Chandler, Ruth and Tom Morse, his four nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Don Chandler.

Gary was born in Endicott, NY on March 19, 1938 the son of the late Gerald and Myrtle (Kellogg) Root. In 1929, his great grandfather started E. E. Root and Gary began work there in 1959, later on becoming President and operating the company for many years. He served as President of G. L. Root Oil, the NYS Chapter of Utility Contractors Assoc., the Southern Tier Chapter of the Utility contractors Assoc. and NYS General Contractors Utility division.

Gary was the recipient of many awards for his work with the American Cancer Society including the James Young Award three years in a row. He served two terms as President of American Cancer Society Tioga County Unit and chaired numerous committees for the Cancer Society. He was recognized by the Owego-Apalachin School district for support as a member of the planning committee for the Heavy Equipment course through BOCES. He served as Chairman for the Friends of Scouting Committee, served six years on the Board of directors for the Tioga County Club as well as four years as President.

Gary was deeply loved by his family and many friends and loved spending time with them; and he especially loved going to job sites with his sons, even in his very last days. He loved Owego and morning visits to Sam's Diner to discuss current events with the guys. He was a generous man with a big heart, and was a man who loved the Lord and prayed faithfully.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Richards Funeral Home, Rte. 17c West, Owego, NY, on Thursday August 28, 2025 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. A Memorial Service will be held at Richards Funeral Home on Friday August 29, 2025 at 10:00am with Pastor Curt Carter and Pastor Bob Harris officiating. Please consider a memorial contribution in memory of Gary to the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club www.tiogabgca.com, the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org. Please share your memories at www.RichardsFH.com