Birth date: Jan 18, 1958 Death date: Apr 3, 2016
Wence, Gary, Blaine, 58, of Largo, FL, passed away on April 3rd, 2016. He was born in Angola, IN on January 18th, 1958 to Herschel Wence and Sue Foster. He was a loving father, son and brother. Gary was a sports enthusiast and a f Read Obituary
From Donna J. Lindberg. Gary and I were together around 14 years. Knew him totally 30 years. He was a father to my oldest son, Michael, since he was 5; before we had Aaron. We had many good times;especially with Bruce,Sabrina, David,Sammy and Paul and Michele and Ralph and Carol and the entire family. We could not see eye to eye on many issues and so we never married(although he did propose). We did remain friends until his passing. We are so glad Gary gave his heart to the Lord in 2014 at an altar call on a Sunday morning service at Suncoast Cathedral in St. Pete. We can rest assured Gary made it to the "Pearly Gates" and I am sure Jesus and Gary are walking the streets of gold, arm n arm, in Heaven with a big smile on their faces. I am sure many angels are rejoicing! Michael, Aaron and myself will miss hearing his voice. We will miss are many conversations we were constantly having. We shall miss going with him to "Thai Orchid" and the "India Grill" in St. Pete; Gary's favorite places to eat. In fact, right before his passing, we went to both. My prayers are with the family and friends. I pray for God to give them great comfort, mercy and His love. I pray that there will be forgiveness. I am sure Gary never meant to hurt anyone. He missed his long time friends and he loved his family. My prayer is that anyone he may have hurt during this season of his life- will forgive him and know that Gid has great mercy, grace and forgiveness of our every shortcomings. Even though Gary's passing was premature- I pray it is turned around for good in all and every way. Aaron, Michael and myself shall miss you very much and we shall see you in Heaven! "And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things are passed away. Revelations 21:4
Gary was a very smart, good, and kind person that accepted people for what they are. He helped me change my life around for the better when I was young and I’ll be forever in his debt.
We were neighbors at first and then became roommates while attending USF. We played countless best of 50 backgammon sets and I honestly am not sure in the end which one of us was ahead. He was unbeatable at Trivia Pursuit, was great at Ping Pong (right and left handed), and a good racquetball player. Even though I am from Philadelphia, I converted to a Mets fan due to Gary’s infectious qualities. Gary prayed to get baseball into St. Pete and his heart was broken when the San Francisco deal fell through. Years later, after countless tractor pulls at Tropicana, Gary got his team “The Devil Rays”.
We use to practice Jai Alai regularly on the back wall of a Publix store in Tampa. One day I went into Publix to get some Gatorade while Gary continued to toss the pelota against the back wall of Publix. Once inside, you could hear the ball echoing loudly throughout the entire store. We laughed like crazy knowing that on countless occasions, Publix managers must have tried to figure out what that noise was.
My condolences to Sue, Kevin, Aaron and ALCON. I love you Gary and thank you for the great memories and the introduction to Aaron.
God be with you!
Tim
My Beloved Son Gary:
Passed away Sunday April 3, 2016.
Gary was my first born- born in Angola, Indiana on January 18, 1958. Gary and his two brothers, Kevin and Steven were delightful children. I have only happy memories of their growing up years. Will forever be “My 3 Sons”!
Gary loved his brothers, friends and family.
Growing up he collected baseball cards, loved launching rockets in our yard in L.I. New York, and loved sports. When we moved to L.I., he became an avid fan of the N.Y. Mets. I would take the boys to the training camp, and Gary would get autographs and collect memorabilia.
Gary was a Cub Scout, and Boy Scout. He was such a happy child. I have especially fond memories of his friend Wayne Badore whose sister Bonnie was our baby-sitter, and their parents were good friends of our family, on Long Island.
We moved to Florida in 1970. The boys went to Shorecrest in St. Petersburg. Gary loved riding his dirt bike on the trail, and following the Mets. As he grew older he loved Rock 'n Roll, Jethro Tull was his idol.
His bright yellow “Challenger” was his first car, and his pride. Gary worked with his father in the family's business.
Gary loved to travel. His good friend Allen Riggs, became an Air Traffic Controller, and they flew to many different countries together. Gary loved the history of these countries.
Gary also traveled with Bruce and Sabrina to Israel, where they had family. I loved hearing Gary talk about his wonderful travels and memories with many of his good friends: Ralph, Carol, Paul and Michele, Mark, Bob and Colleen, and Neel.
When we moved to Florida, Gary as a child saw a “Jai-Alai” billboard, and asked, “What is that game” ? From that point on he was “hooked”. He bought a “Cesta basket” and began to play wherever they had courts, and of course made friends. He frequented the Jai-Alai Fronton, and played with some of the pros, and also befriended them.
Gary was so personable, with a blessed personality and he “Never met a stranger”. He was so sweet and kind and would give or share anything that he had.
Gary loved, and followed the “Rays”, the “Bucs”, Tennis, and the “Lightening” Ice Hockey team, and Wrestling. Gary enjoyed talking Politics, anything Star Trek, especially the original, Coast to Coast Radio Program. “Big Bang Theory”, “Seinfeld” and other Sitcoms. He enjoyed the History, ESPN, Sci-Fi, and BBC channels. Gary was intrigued with the extra-terrestrial, UFO's, and the unexplained, such as pyramids, and the “Bermuda Triangle Glass pyramids”...
So much more to Gary's life than I am able to write. He loved going to Indiana to visit his grandparents, Uncle Dave and Aunt Kathy and Cousin Melissa.
His brother Kevin and his wife Kate were a Godsend and were there for Gary. His “best buddy”, cousin, friend Regina was a Godsend and was there for Gary. I am so grateful for their love and support of Gary. Also Aaron and his mother Donna remained constant in Gary's life.
Gary's closest relatives are his mother, his son Aaron , his brother Kevin and his wife Kate and nephew Christopher and his wife Heather, and their new baby Jordan; Aunts and Uncles: Kathy, and Dan and Marsha, and David and Cathy; Cousins: Melissa, Stacie, Stephanie, Geoffrey, Regina, Pam, and Kathie. Aaron's mother Donna, sister Starr and brother Michael, and Uncle Donny. Gary's father : Herschel Blaine Wence (predeceased), and loving stepfather Kent Foster (predeceased) , and brother Stevin Eric (predeceased).Many friends, to numerous to name.
Gary's son Aaron was the “the love of his life”...best friend, of whom he was truly proud.
My heart is broken. I am beyond grief. I miss and love you so much! I will embrace you again one day my son. BE WITH GOD!
Love always and forever,
Mom
The NJJA (National Jai-also Association ) paid tribute to Gary. He would have been so touched. ( they had received misinformation- but the sentiment is appreciated)
I will always remember the laughs we had here in indiana and in St Pete. Loved the times at the track!
