
Cicero- Gary M. Hotaling, 71, formerly of Rensselaer and more recently Cicero (Onondaga County), died peacefully Saturday, November 11, 2017 (Veterans Day) at Francis House in Syracuse following a brief illness with his loving wife and devoted sons by his side.
Born in Darby, England, June 4, 1946, Gary was the son of the late Ernest Hotaling and Theresa Ashton Hotaling of Hampton Manor, (Rensselaer County) who survives. For 48 years Gary was also the husband of his best friend and love of his life, Joanna Barber Hotaling of Cicero who also survives. Gary and Joanna were married on June 28, 1969.
Gary was a graduate of Columbia High School and earned an Associate Degree in the field of Electrical Engineering at Hudson Valley CC.
On May 16, 1967 Gary enlisted in the United States Navy. Because of his previous education and electronics background, he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Essex Aircraft Carrier as a motion picture projection systems technician. The highpoint of his service came when he assisted with the recovery of several Apollo Missions for NASA and enjoyed the opportunity to meet several of the astronauts who manned those missions. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for serving during Vietnam Conflict and honorably discharged in April 1972.
After returning from the service Gary worked as an electrical engineer for several companies across the country and around the world, including Burroughs Corp., International Scientific Instruments, General Electric and most recently the Hughes JVC Corp. in California. Among the highlights of his professional career was touring as a “Roadie,” working as a projection screen and lighting technician for “The Grateful Dead Band”, “Reba Macintyre”, and “Carman.”
Gary was a member of the American Legion Post #787 in Cicero and associated with the Melvin Roads American Legion Post #1231 in Rensselaer. He was a former Boy Scouts of American Leader and participated as a Little League Coach. He enjoyed the hobbies of camping and fishing and was an avid NY Yankees and Syracuse University sports fan.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Marty and Lisa Hotaling of Lima, Brian Hotaling of Cohoes and Christopher and Tanya Hotaling of Cicero, a brother, Greg (Sue) Hotaling of Howe Caves, a sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Gary will be held on Friday, November 17, 2017 at noon, at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown. Burial will follow in Norton Cemetery in Pittstown. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until noon.
As an expression of their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff for their excellent care, the Hotaling family would like to suggest contributions in memory of Gary, be made to “Francis House”, 114 Michaels Street, Syracuse, NY 13208.
Born in Darby, England, June 4, 1946, Gary was the son of the late Ernest Hotaling and Theresa Ashton Hotaling of Hampton Manor, (Rensselaer County) who survives. For 48 years Gary was also the husband of his best friend and love of his life, Joanna Barber Hotaling of Cicero who also survives. Gary and Joanna were married on June 28, 1969.
Gary was a graduate of Columbia High School and earned an Associate Degree in the field of Electrical Engineering at Hudson Valley CC.
On May 16, 1967 Gary enlisted in the United States Navy. Because of his previous education and electronics background, he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Essex Aircraft Carrier as a motion picture projection systems technician. The highpoint of his service came when he assisted with the recovery of several Apollo Missions for NASA and enjoyed the opportunity to meet several of the astronauts who manned those missions. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for serving during Vietnam Conflict and honorably discharged in April 1972.
After returning from the service Gary worked as an electrical engineer for several companies across the country and around the world, including Burroughs Corp., International Scientific Instruments, General Electric and most recently the Hughes JVC Corp. in California. Among the highlights of his professional career was touring as a “Roadie,” working as a projection screen and lighting technician for “The Grateful Dead Band”, “Reba Macintyre”, and “Carman.”
Gary was a member of the American Legion Post #787 in Cicero and associated with the Melvin Roads American Legion Post #1231 in Rensselaer. He was a former Boy Scouts of American Leader and participated as a Little League Coach. He enjoyed the hobbies of camping and fishing and was an avid NY Yankees and Syracuse University sports fan.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Marty and Lisa Hotaling of Lima, Brian Hotaling of Cohoes and Christopher and Tanya Hotaling of Cicero, a brother, Greg (Sue) Hotaling of Howe Caves, a sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Gary will be held on Friday, November 17, 2017 at noon, at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown. Burial will follow in Norton Cemetery in Pittstown. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until noon.
As an expression of their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff for their excellent care, the Hotaling family would like to suggest contributions in memory of Gary, be made to “Francis House”, 114 Michaels Street, Syracuse, NY 13208.