Arthur Horowitz (Horowitz) (1969)

It's funny how 40 years can seem like a minute. Gary and I went to SUNY Binghamton for one month in 1969 and were roommates. We hated it and came back to the City.  We didn't keep in touch over the years but he will always be an important part of my youth.  I can't think of Gary without smiling wistfully for a time of possibility. I'm glad he found a love and a career and that his life was happy.  He will be missed and remembered by everyone he touched over his life. 

Steve Eisenberg (1969)

This comes as a complete shock. Gary and I just re connected a few months ago, when he needed some legal assistance in the Fort Lauderdale area. We were going to get together on his next trip down here. He was a great guy, humble and a joy to deal with. Fond memories from High School. A  Mensch  who went too soon. 

James Pankow (1969)

Very sorry to hear this news.  

I also remember that Gary loved to play basketball, with my memories about that being from Winthrop JHS and those joint physical education classes where we had to sit on the floor at the beginning of the class, each at our particular assigned spot, with possible reward for our obedience to the dictator by being among the first to line up to go play our selected sport....

Sincere condolences to Gary's family, and warm wishes to all my one-time friends from Winthrop and Wingate. I wasn't perfect back then, but Gary and you all helped make me better, and better prepared for life.

Jim 

Michael Lewenson (1969)

This is extremely sad news. I reconnected with Gary at the Reunion and we talked about his

effort to get Jack Morris elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. When he introduced me to his

wife and said that I shared his sentiment about the effort, she gave a look that said it all -

"another baseball nut". I felt comfortable hanging with Gary because we could usually mix

being silly and with being serious. Our position in a 9th grade debate about making LSD illegal

typified this approach and we consequently lost the debate. ( glad this setback did not deter him

from becoming a lawyer ). He usually got the best of me on the basketball court since he had 

a great outside shot and would easily drive past me if I guarded him too closely.

We exchanged e-mails periodically after the reunion but none the past few years.

We are all fortunate to have known Gary and his spirit will always be with us.

Elliot Baron (1969)

I always liked Gary. I have a long ago memory and I believe it was he but if I'm wrong forgive me: There was some sort of school play (maybe Winthrop or earlier?) and the lead couldn't do it that day for whatever reason, and of course there were no understudies, and Gary volunteered and just did the part from what he remembered as well as having a script neatly tucked onto some prop he was holding...  and pulled it off beautifully. Brave thing to undertake. Does anyone else remember this?...  and as I said, I hope my memory is correct that it was Gary. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. -Elliot Baron

Steve Hirsch (1969)

My basketball memories of Gary consisted of watching this kid with an incredible eye for the basket make shot after shot.  I could watch because my team always tended to lose while his teams, due in large part to his shooting skills, would keep winning and staying on the court.  Over this past year I came out of Winthrop/Wingate hibernation (refusal to be a part of facebook) and had the good fortune to see Gary's posts of his family and trips.  He was actually quite good at posting pictures of his trips!  We e-mailed and jibed each other over football (I'm a Seattleite and hence a Seahawk fanatic while Gary stayed true to his NY GIants).  He also seemed quite content with his law practice and Arizona.  Good for you Gary- we are going to miss you.

Paul Tiszenkel (1969)

Thanks to the miracle of our surnames and the alphabet, I was lucky to sit near Gary in the back in several classes so I got to know him a bit.  My distinct memories of Gary were that he was whip smart, had a quiet dignity (frequently displayed in film by another Gary- Gary Cooper), and had a great sense of humor whose understatement made it more effective.

A few years ago he hit me with an email just to check in and led off with a question..... did I remember him?  Silly question..... how could I forget someone like him!   I was glad but certainly not surprised to hear that things had gone well for him and thrilled that he'd taken the initiative to reach out.  We exchanged a few catch up mails and then I guess we both got caught up in whatever and lost touch.

Can't adequately express my sadness at the news of Gary's passing.  Like many of you who have posted here I feel privileged to have known him albeit for a relatively brief time.  He'll be missed but not forgotten.

Craig Raucher (1969)

Knew Gary well and sorry to hear the news  long ago friends passing makes me aware of my own mortality .

Have gone back to that old neighborhood many times in my 30s, 40,s and 50s and always flooded with memories on each block. 

Robert Schechter (1969)

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Gary.  Gary was my closest friend during my elementary and junior high school years.  We were in the same classes throughout those years, sharing school activities, a passion for sports, and countless hours hanging out together.  We lost contact over the years, and was so happy to see Gary again at the reunion.  We spent hours talking, and agreed it was unfortunate was had drifted apart as our lives took different directions after college.

Gary's intelligence was exceeded only by his modesty.  He had a big heart, and would do anything for a friend, expecting nothing in return.  I could list countless stories from our childhood evidencing these qualities.  Reading the many tributes to Gary online after his passing, it's obvious his values and essence never changed.  I'm very happy I got to spend those few hours with Gary at the reunion, reminiscing.  It was good to find out his life had been so full and rewarding.  Unfortunately his life was far too short.

Jay Litzman (1969)

It is strange I read all of the comments about playing basketball with Gary, but I remembered playing football in the school yard with Gary. Gary was Lance Alworth of the San Diego Charges and I was John Hadl. Lance Alworth was a thin flanker and used to run a slant. He was very quick and had the nickname Bambi. Gary and I worked it to perfection in the school yard. After reading the other comments I remembered I also played basketball at the night center with Gary. He was very gentle and I was high strung especially when I played sports so he helped calm me down. I also remember talking to him in the school yard about more serious topics and he had good advice. My sincerest condolences to his family.