Gary Carl Rygiel

Partner, Liberty Insurance Associates, Inc. Gary Carl Rygiel, 69, of Colts Neck, passed away Tuesday at Bayshore Community Hospital. Gary was born and raised in Raritan, NJ. He graduated from Bridgewater Raritan High School – West. He received a B.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Marine Biology/Geology. While at FDU, he completed a semester abroad in St. Croix, an experience that he cherished. Following college, he began his working career at Roadway Trucking then moved to Liberty Mutual in Commercial Insurance Sales. While at Liberty Mutual, he made a life-long friend, Andrew C. Harris, who later became his business partner when they started Liberty Insurance Associates, Inc. They grew their company together for the last 40 years. Gary enjoyed golfing. He was a member at Eagle Oaks and Bella Vista Country Clubs. He also enjoyed sailing and was a member of Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club where he once served as the Vice Commodore. He truly loved all sports, especially football, and his beloved Dallas Cowboys. Gary had many professional accomplishments. He served as the President of both the Independent Insurance Agents of NJ (IIA-NJ) and the Professional Insurance Agents of NJ (PIA-NJ). He earned many insurance designations, including the prestigious Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). He was the first, and only, Insurance Agent to serve as the Chairman of the NJ Compensation, Rating and Inspection Bureau (NJCRIB). Gary's community involvement was also extensive: Member of Monmouth County Workforce Investment Board; Past President of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce; Treasurer of the Monmouth County 200 Club, and a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy. An excellent example of his team building skills resulted in the construction of Liberty Park Kaboom playground in Freehold in 2001. His most recent interest was working with ReStore Habitat for Humanity in Freehold. Gary is survived by his brothers Glenn Rygiel of Raritan and Guy Rygiel of Lake Forest, California; and his nephew Kevin Rygiel of Lake Forest, California Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27th from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Rd, Holmdel. A brief service will be held at 6:00 PM. As per Gary's wishes he will be privately cremated. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the New Hope Foundation, Marlboro, NJ at https://newhopeibhc.org, and click the Give to New Hope button. To leave a message of condolence or to share a favorite memory, please visit Gary's page at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com Holmdel Funeral Home 26 South Holmdel Road Holmdel, NJ 07733 732 946 3322