Gary Arthur St. Mary

Gary Arthur St. Mary, 76, of Fond du Lac, WI, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, at SSM Hospice Home of Hope. Gary was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Patricia, and together they shared over five decades of marriage, building a life centered around hard work, family, and unconditional love.

Born on March 23, 1948, to Delores and John St. Mary, Gary grew up in Fond du Lac alongside his four siblings: Phillip (Marjorie), Ronald (Beverly), Faye (Bill) Lodi, and Joy (Willy) Avila. From a young age, Gary was known for his “tinkerer brain”—always dreaming, fixing, building, and inventing. Whether working on the family farm, sketching out new ideas, or creating with his hands, Gary’s brilliant mind was always at work.

After over 20 years working with electrical components at Regal Ware, Gary took a leap of faith and founded The Saint Wire & Cable Co. in 1991 from his garage in Fond du Lac, WI. What started as a small business making custom battery cables grew into Kwik Wire, a leader in the street rod industry. With Patty by his side every step of the way, Gary poured his inventive creativity, dedication, and talent into the company, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues through his family today. Many of the products Kwik Wire still sells were designed by Gary himself—a true reflection of his passion and ingenuity.

In addition to his work, Gary was committed to his community. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and active in the men’s club. He proudly volunteered as a fireman for over 15 years with the Eden Fire Department and served both as lieutenant and training officer. He was an active member of Eden Fireman’s Association and served as President. Gary also enjoyed time with the Pegasus Flying Club and the Fond du Lac Vintage Auto Club, where he shared his love of aviation and classic cars.

For the past seven years, Gary and Patty enjoyed winters together in Dade City, FL, where they made lasting friendships and restored a second home they loved. Gary enjoyed chatting with new friends and telling stories that he cherished from his past and the everyday moments spent with Patty by his side.

Throughout the past year, Gary fought hard and triumphed over his battle with liver cancer and was declared cancer-free on October 14, 2024—a day of pure joy. Just ten days later, his heart was shattered as he lost the love of his life. Gary’s undeniable love for Patty was so deep, he never recovered from that loss.

Of all his accomplishments, Gary was most proud of the family he and Patty built together. He was a loving father to Shawn (Tanya) and Cory; a proud grandfather to Tyler (Katie) Oestreich, Tanner (Amber), Tristin (Sam) Holzmann, Taylin (Tyler), Cameron (Danielle), and Colton (Brittany); and a cherished great-grandfather to nine, with number ten arriving in July. Gary truly treasured every moment spent with his growing family.

A celebration of Gary’s life will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent St., Fond du Lac. Visitation from 2–5 pm, with a service to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Eden Fireman’s Association.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the teams at SSM Cancer Center, Dr. Jones (SSM), Dr. Gamblin (Froedtert), Hope Health and Rehab (Lomira) and Hospice Home of Hope for their incredible care and compassion.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com