Gary Tocklin's Obituary
Gary Michael Tocklin, age 79, died on January 24th, 2023 from acute kidney failure. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 50 years, Adrian Tocklin. Gary was born on March 5th, 1943 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Henry Gustav Tocklin and Rose Szczepanski Tocklin. While Gary was an only child, he had many aunts, uncles and cousins, and grew up surrounded by love.
Gary attended the Universities of Wisconsin and Florida, but did not graduate because he had to support his parents at a young age. He was very proud that even without a college degree, he was able to attain remarkable success in the Insurance industry. Gary began his career with Sentry Insurance in St. Petersburg, then worked his way up to Regional Claim Manager with Interstate National Corporation, also in St. Petersburg. He became an expert in unusual risks – circuses, wrestling matches, speedway races, and general aviation. Gary and Adrian then moved to New York City, where Gary rose to V.P. Worldwide Casualty Claims for American International Underwriters, then the largest Property & Casualty insurer in the United States.
Gary’s unique skill was in understanding and relating to all people in all circumstances. Whether it was a North Sea oil rig explosion or a malicious product tampering case, Gary managed to bring a sense of equity and closure to what were inherently unhappy situations. His kindness and sense of fair play made him the “honest broker” in every situation. Plus, he had a photographic memory. This served as a joy or irritant to his colleagues, but whatever Gary said, went.
Gary was a devout Christian, and was very active in the Lutheran church. He was President of the Congregation and/or on the Board of Elders at three Lutheran churches in New Jersey and Florida. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Gary served people everywhere, in every walk of life. Whether it was the guys that owned the lobby candy store, the V.P. down the hall, or the office cleaning lady, Gary knew everyone’s hopes, dreams, sorrows and woes. He had plenty of woes himself, with lifelong back pain. He broke his neck in 1980, resulting in 4 surgeries that year and many others in the decades that followed. Yet, he never complained. When the doctor would ask Gary if he hurt, he’d ask Adrian, “Do I hurt?” (Long-term married people understand this)
Because of his prodigious memory, Gary was a whiz at trivia games and spelling. He was so knowledgeable about Lutheran history that friends asked what he and Martin Luther talked about in 1530. And yet, Gary loved practical jokes. If he could figure out how to do a Candid Camera-type gag, he’d do it. Gary and Adrian loved to travel, visiting over 60 countries in their lifetime together. He especially enjoyed cruises, and the rolling of the ocean. He collected pens and inkwells, along with traveling office paraphernalia. He delighted in asking visitors if they knew what a small wooden knob was for. He’d then tap it on the table to show it was a “finger gavel,” used by judges of old as they called the courtroom to order.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Adrian, along with cousins Esther Sutton of Atlanta, Ga., Max Szczepanski of Pulaski, Wi., and Joan Szymczak of Yucca Mesa, Ca.; best friend Bill Freda and the entire Freda family; Kyle, Jeff, Garrett & Annette Taber; Gary and Debbie Crook & family; and Dale Crook & family.
Visitation is at 5-7pm on Monday, January 30th, 2023 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida. Funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, January 31st., 2023 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4301 16th Street North, St. Petersburg, Fl., followed by reception at Memorial Park.
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