Gary Hallock Rose
Former Mattituck resident Gary Hallock Rose of Calverton passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2012, after a five-and-a-half year battle against brain cancer. He was 63 years of age.
He was born April 6, 1949, in Greenport, N.Y., to Kathryn (Hallock) and John Hays Rose and was a 1967 graduate of Mattituck High School.
After graduating from SUNY/Canton, Gary volunteered for the Peace Corps in the early 1970s. Upon completion of intensive training in San Francisco, Gary was assigned to the Philippines, where he worked for two years with Filipino farmers to improve agricultural crop yields through innovative irrigation techniques.
Gary spent most of his career in retail lumber sales, working at Reeve Lumber, Southampton Lumber, Triangle Building Supply, Penny Marjam Lumber and Miller Environmental Group.
After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2007, Gary became a long-distance patient at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University in Durham, N.C., where he participated in several clinical trials. Gary had a great attitude about his cancer, saying often that God blessed him with His peace, grace and mercy and knew that he would win the battle, whether here on earth or with God in heaven.
Gary loved tending to his yard and gardens and was especially known for the beautiful roses he grew. He was a lifelong member of Mattituck Presbyterian Church and served in many roles there, including trustee, elder and Stephen Minister.
Gary was predeceased by his parents and his nephew Donnie Sherwood. He is survived by his loving brother and sisters, John (Peggy) Rose of Laurel, Diane (Don) Sherwood of Southampton and Sherrill (Stan) Kujawski of East Aurora, N.Y. Gary was a cherished uncle to David (Michelle) Sherwood, Jay (Shuana) Rose, Melissa (Mike) Paglia, Meredith (Adam) Weil, Chris (Lindsey) Kujawski and Colin (Renée) Kujawski; grandnieces, Ana and Abby Sherwood and Ella Rose; and grandnephew, Lucas Paglia.
A memorial service was held Nov. 13, 2012, at Mattituck Presbyterian Church, followed by interment at New Bethany Cemetery in Mattituck. Funeral arrangements were handled by Costner-Heppner Funeral Home, Cutchogue.
Memorial donations in Gary’s name can be sent to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University or to East End Hospice.
This is a paid notice.
