PILLAR POINT — Gary D. LaPatra, 67, of Pillar Point and formerly of Watertown, passed away early Monday morning on March 11, 2019, at the Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Private graveside services will be held for his family in Brookside Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.
Arrangements are with the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home.
He was born May 28, 1951, in Watertown, a son to Edward and Laurette LaPatra.
He graduated from Watertown High School in 1969. He moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he worked for the HP Hood Co. in Dunedin as a technician in Product Blending, starting in 1973. He returned to Watertown in 1977, and worked as a Natural Resource Technician for NYS St. Lawrence-Eastern Ontario Commission. He received an associate’s degree from Jefferson Community College, where he was also a member of the Chi Delta Phi fraternity, in 1977. Gary also worked for Borden’s Dairy Plant in Watertown for several years as a Project Liaison.
He married Susan Bryson April 25, 1981, at Emmanuel Congregational Church. Susan is retired from the City of Watertown Water Department.
Gary is a former member of the North Side Improvement League. He was a man of many talents, including musician, vocalist, published writer and poet, and photographer. Gary dedicated his life to his family and the well-being of others. He will be remembered for his wisdom, warm smile, his big heart, and his ability to make everyone laugh.
Surviving are his wife, Susan, Pillar Point, and a daughter and son-in-law, Darcie and Maxwell French, Watertown.
His parents, Edward and Laurette, and a brother, Larry, predeceased him.
Gary asked before his passing that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society:Â https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/memorial-giving.html
Online condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.
