ALBANY – Gary C. Towle, 58, of Albany, died Monday, December 7, 2009 at Albany Memorial Hospital. Gary was born in Albany and lived here all his life. He attended Schenectady County Community College and SUNY Albany. He was employed by Korvette’s Dept. Store. He served as General Manager for both Big A Auto Parts and T-shirt City. Most recently, he was Sales Manager for Genuine Parts – NAPA Distribution Center in Latham. He was an avid golfer and spent many days golfing at Capital Hills at Albany. He bowled in the Keeler League of Albany for over twenty years, and loved fishing, gardening, and cooking Sunday and holiday dinners for his family. He also loved vacationing on Cape Cod with his family. Gary was actively involved in Holy Cross High School CYO basketball, Westland Hills Little League, and Central Babe Ruth. He also was a dedicated fan of the New York Giants.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Joyce J. Raciti Towle; his sons and their wives David V. Towle and Carrie Towle of Glenmont, and Daniel C. Towle and Erin Towle of Clifton Park; his sisters Susan Conroy of Missouri, Sharon Warejko of Pasadena, MD, and Eileen Gervais (Larry) of Lanesboro, MA; his grandchildren Nicholas and Emily Towle; his mother in law Mary Raciti; his sister in law Madeline Raciti; and dear friends Paula & Jim Begley. Gary was predeceased by his parents Wallace and Elaine Becker Towle.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Friday morning at 8:45, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church (formerly St. Margaret Mary’s Church), Homestead St., Albany at 9:30. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie. To leave a message of condolence for the family, view or print a prayer card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
The family wishes to thank the 6th Floor nursing staff at Albany Memorial Hospital for their kind and compassionate care as well as Dr Dudek, Dr Wu and the staff at NYOH.
Robert Goldman
Gary and I were co-workers at NAPA. We would often ride together or dine together. I remember many long rides where Gary would try and convince me I was really republican and I would argue how I wasn’t. I will miss those rides with Gary. I will also miss his wisdom and friendship. There was never a time I wasn’t happy to be working directly with Gary. Except those sleepless nights when we would room together and Garys snoring would keep me up all night.
My sincere condolences go out to the entire Towle family , all of his close friends and anybody that had ever known Gary.
My prayers are with you all . With Gods grace I am sure we will all meet again.
Laurie Burns
Dan,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Laurie Burns
Tom Caron
Dear Joyce & family,
We were so saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. Gary so lived life to it’s fullest, and will always be remembered in our hearts. Our prayers for Gods strength to you & your family that he loved so much.
Our sympathy, Tom & Ros Caron
Dave Palitsch
Dear Joyce,
I am deeply saddened…Some of the best times of my life were spent with Gary. He was a great guy and I was proud to work with him. Pease know that our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
Steve Kampf
Dan, Dave & Joyce,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Gary was a great influence for all of us as Dan and I were growing up. I thoroughly enjoyed playing for the Holy Cross high school CYO team and to this day, think back to our senior year season as one of the truly great times of my life. A lot of that was undoubtedly due to Gary. My heart goes out to you and all of you are in my thoughts and prayers, as is Gary.
Scott Murphy
A tremendous loss…and a very sad day for his NAPA Family. Gary was a true gentleman and one of the nicest most likeable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He has touched so many people in our world that the outpouring of condolensces has been overwhelming. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Joyce, God Bless you and your boys and your grandchildern during this very difficult time. Take strength from your family as I know you will. If I can do anything please don’t hestitate to call.
My deepest sympathies,
Scott
Ed Buelens
Too all of Gary’s Family,
I was saddened to hear about Gary’s passing, we had many enjoyable moments at work, BUT mostly on the Golf course whenever I was in Albany.
We will Miss him
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ed
Bill Perry
To Gary’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Gary was a special guy and the time that I was on the Rayloc team with him was great. I learned many things from Gary and had some good times also. He will be deeply missed.
God Bless.
Bill Perry
Chatham, NH
jessica- talia-tressa-anthony
We are so sorry for your loss. When I first met Gary so long ago he was always so very nice to me. I am sorry we cannot make it up to pay our respects to you and the family. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
the cotazino's
My dearest Joyce
we share your sorrow Joe and i extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family he will be greatly missed may he find peace in God’s arms we love you Margaret and Joe
Paul Rockenstyre
Joyce,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family this day. I wish I could be there to attend the services but cannot.
If there is anything I or Doreen can do for you please reach out to us.
Paul
Bonnie and Tom Brown
Dan and Erin, We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Dan’s father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time.
Your neighbors at 5 Heavenly Way, Bonnie and Tom Brown
Brendan O'Neil
Dan, Dave, and Mrs. Towle and family,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. I will always remember the time when I was fortunate enough to play for Gary on the CYO team. He was a great coach and a great man. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Daphne Combs
I only knew Gary a short time, but in that short time, I sensed that he was a good hearted person. Gary was sincere in his word and I believe he strived to “get everything done” even to his last day. My condolences to the family. I will miss working with him.
Lynn Freeman
Dan and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew your father only from a five minute phone conversation but it was obvious even in that short time where you got your wonderful sense of humor. I’m sure he will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lynn
Jo-Anne Vogel
Dear Joyce , Dan and Dave,
Please accept my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Gary was a wonderful Dad and a great role model and coach for the CYO Holy Cross basketball team. May the treasured moments of his life give you consolation in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Jo-Anne Vogel (Justin’s mom)
Ron Patterson
To Joyce and family,
At any time I could call Gary over the past many years- and he was always a joy to talk to and work with. We had a lot of fun doing sales calls together and he will be missed.
All of us at Jack Haverty’s (Pleasant Valley NAPA store) are very sorry for your loss.
Louis & Tammy Pipa
To the Towle Family: Tammy & I only knew gary for a short time as we purchased our store in 2005. During that time we had visits from gary at our store and he was always eager to help in any way we needed. It was a real pleasure to know him and we wish your family all the best in this very difficult time. Gary was a great man and we will always remember him fondly . As will anyone who had ever had the occasion to meet him. tammy & louie pipa
Dennis Bonesteel
My deepest condolences to Joyce and the entire Towle family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
As a member of the NAPA family, Gary will be deeply missed not only by his co-workers, but every one of our NAPA store and dealer customers.
Gary was a honest and true friend to everyone.
Dennis
Joe Nagengast
Joyce and Family! I have so many childhood memories with Gary playing little league baseball and saturday bowling. He was a fine friend and will be missed.
Doris Monforte Stone
Dear Joyce, My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. So very sorry for your loss.
Ron and Pat Wheeler
It was with sadness that I saw Gary’s obituary and realized that the world had lost a wonderful, giving man. Joyce, our thoughts are with you and the boys. Ron and I will remember fondly the grade school years of Danny and Andy as well as the Little League experiences which Gary was so much a part of. Pat
Terry O'Brien
My sympathy to the Towle family. Although I hadn’t seen Gary for many decades, I always cherished his friendship during our childhood. He was truely one of the good guys in the neighborhood.
Jennifer Hebert
Dear Mrs. Towle and Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathies in your time of loss. We will miss working with Gary as well as his support and smile.
Truly,
The Hebert Family and all of us at Allied Auto Parts
Daryl and Mimi Roy
Dear Joyce and family,
We had the great pleasure of knowing and working with Gary for about 30 years first with Big A and then with NAPA. We always looked forward to days where we could see him at our store or at social and business events. He will truly be sorely missed as one of the great and sincere persons and friends during his and our lifetime.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers.