Gary P. Mahannah

Early evening Friday, July 26, 2024, Gary left this earth and took my heart with him. Family and friends had either come to see him at home or called so they could speak with him. We played his favorite music: The Eagles, Poco, Randy Travis, The Band & others, we sang, told stories, talked to him and prayed. He was surrounded by love.

Gary was born February 5, 1944, in Miami, Florida, to Charles Mark Mahannah and MaryEllen Morris Mahannah. He was their surprise baby and the youngest of three. Gary’s childhood was filled with sunshine, beaches and the ocean.

July 1962, Gary joined the U.S. Marine Corps; he served in Vietnam with Co. D, 1st Bn., 3rd Marine Division. After Vietnam he was stationed in Okinawa until his discharge. Semper Fi Marine.

In July 1965 Gary returned to Miami and worked with his Pop growing sod and building golf courses in Florida and Colombia, S.A. Gary became a greenskeeper for various golf courses; his last gig was at Doral in Miami.

Through the ups and downs, he was a diehard Miami Dolphins fan and was there for the perfect season. He enjoyed NASCAR while Dale Earnhardt was driving and hockey games.

Gary had a big heart; he was kind, compassionate, brilliant, handsome, a fantastic husband, a loyal friend and great guy. He was a voracious reader, interested in history, art, geology (loved those rocks), rockets and the space program, enjoyed good movies, Antiques Roadshow, financial programs and was a proud Republican. He loved our annual racetrack outing (he knew how to pick winners), his Harley Davidson motorcycle and his big ole truck. He loved to cook and the Mahannah chili, orange smoked turkey, Greek village salad & his barbeque ribs were legend. Gary loved animals and gave many dogs and cats love and a great home.

Our first date was Kentucky Derby Day, May 5, 1990, and that was it for both of us. We were rarely apart and have been together 34 years; we married at Disney World in 2004. We have had a great life together filled with big love, laughs, family, friends, adventures, travels and animals. While in Miami, he loved throwing our almost weekly dinner parties and hosting a massive Christmas Day party; meeting friends for cocktails and dinner (with his signature Absolute and cranberry) and traveling – favorites were Greece, Normandy, London, Rome, New Mexico, New England, Savannah, New Orleans and Washington, D.C.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, brother Charles Mahannah, nephew Mark Mahannah and some dear friends. He is survived by his beloved wife Roberta (Bert) Patton Mahannah; nephew Jon Mahannah/his wife Haydee/their son Mark; nephew Chris Mahannah/his wife Carla/their daughter Mei Lee; his sister Sue Cunningham/her daughters Cappy Beckett (Nick) and Liz Cardosi (Scott) and their children; niece Leslie Menocal (Tony) and their children; niece Carrie Boone (Ray) and their children; nephew Jimmy Mahannah (Leslie McCurtin); sister-in-law Carmen Mahannah; his lifelong friend Paul Arbogast, many friends and the 3 furred ones: Sally, Sweetie & Owww kitties.

Gary was never afraid of what was next, he prayed daily and loved the Lord. He’s in the arms of the angels now.

There will be a memorial luncheon scheduled here in Pennsylvania; Gary will be buried with military honors at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Brevard County, Florida, on his birthday, February 5, 2025.

Donations in his memory can be made to Solemn Pride, Inc., 4542 Whiskey Lane, Mims, Fl 32754-5117 (it’s a non-profit organization honoring veteran burials in Florida) or Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org).

These words from W.H. Auden’s poem say it well: “He was my North, my South, my East and West, my working week and my Sunday rest, my noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now: put out everyone; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good.”

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to ROSE AND WAID FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC. – MEADVILLE, 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville. Online condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.RoseAndWaidFH.com at www.Legacy.com