Gary Preisch
December 21, 1946 - November 14, 2019
Gary Preisch, age 72, of North East, MD, passed away at home on Thursday, November 14, 2019.
Born in Lockport, NY on December 21, 1946, he was a son of the late Lester C. and Iris (McCourt) Preisch. Gary proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines, committing to two tours of duty in Vietnam. He worked as a truck driver with auto hauler M & G Convoy out of Newark, DE. He continued trucking for 37 years. After a brief retirement, he began driving a school bus for Cecil County, MD schools and driving for a transport service hauling U.S. mail.
Gary was very mechanically inclined. As a young man, he owned a Ford Mustang Boss 302 muscle car and participated in the drag race scene of the 1960s and 1970s. He made many modifications and repairs to various cars he owned including two Corvettes. As an owner-operator truck driver, he kept his semi-truck roadworthy and delivered new cars for many years. As a homeowner, he often fixed his own lawncare tools and mowers.
Gary was known for his generosity. As a pickup truck owner, he frequently helped move others’ furniture. If you needed a ride to or from the airport, he was there. If you needed to store something for a while, he had room. If you needed to talk with a mentor or a father figure, he was available. Whatever you needed help with, he would find a way to work it out.
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his brothers, Clayton and Roger. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Ruth A. (Franklin) Preisch; children, Garrett W. Preisch (Shelly) of Elkton, MD and Kirsten E. Costa (Chris) of Lucile, ID; sisters, Mary Palumbo of Lockport, NY and Muriel Dear of Wilmington, NC; sister-in-law, Valerie Dlugosz; mother-in-law, Helen Franklin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles Franklin (Debbie), Dale Franklin, Melba Saxton (Ronnie) and David Franklin; grandchildren, Katie Preisch, Konnor Costa, Nathaniel Costa, Gabriel Costa and Isabella Costa; many nieces and nephews; and beloved rescue dog, Lexi.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Thursday, November 21, 2019, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. A second visitation will be held from 8:30 am until 9:30 am on Friday, November 22, 2019, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral, where a memorial service will begin at 9:30 am. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to one of three organizations. For the Elkton Veterans Center, please make checks payable to “VA Maryland Healthcare System” and on the memo line please write “account # 1119, Elkton Vet Center, IMO Gary Preisch.” Mail to: Voluntary Service Specialist, Perry Point VA Medical Center, Bldg. 15 H – Room 214 B, PP/135/VS, Perry Point, MD 21902. For the J. Allison O’Daniel Post # 475 VFW in Newark, DE please call 302-366-8438 or visit 100 Veterans Drive, Newark, DE 19711. Optionally, please contribute to your favorite charitable organization.
Please enjoy the video memories of Gary’s life.
Darlene and Walt Webster
Ruth,
We are sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayer.
Darlene and Walt
Julie Rawding
Ruth,
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Julie
Trisha Hudson
Preisch family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Hoping you find some comfort through your memories of a great man.
Lisa and William Kelly
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. There are no words we can say to ease your pain. Nothing will fill the hole left in your heart. You never move on. But someday you’ll move forward. The hardest thing for me was to not feel guilty for smiling again or tapping my foot to a song on tbe radio. But find a reason to smile and by all means tap away ❤️😘
Karleen Shepard
I was so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I do wish I lived closer so I could be with you at this time. God blesss.
Cathy Wevodau
Ruth, Words cannot express my deep sadness to hear the news of Gary’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Barb Wessel
Ruth, I am so sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. I am now in Florida but wish I was there in person but I am with you in spirt. You had so many great years and memories with Gary. Focus on those memories to help you get through this sad time. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Bob Hetrick
To Ruth and the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was a good man and will be missed by all. Thanks for your service to our country. May you rest in peace Gary.
Donna Watson
Dear Preisch Family,
We are all so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. May you find peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. Blessings, Donna and Richard.
Diameter Bowman
Ruth,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Gary was a wonderful man and always so pleasant and nice to everyone.
Diamelen
Ada Rodriguez
I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ann Ricard
Ruth and family,
So sorry for loss. My thoughts and prayers.
Kim Trainer
Preisch Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr Preisch. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Garrett, Shelly, and Katie thinking of you all
Jean Norona
Garrett and Family, I am so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. Praying for comfort and strength in the days ahead. God replaces the lives of our loved ones with special memories that we will have forever. Treasure those memories! Jean Norona (GBC)
Laurie Shockley
Ruth,
I am so very sorry for your loss. May he Rest in Peace.
Laurie Shockley
Charlie and Deb Franklin
Ruth,
Gary will be missed and remembered by all of us. You two were meant for each other, he will always be watching out for you and those he loved. We are so sorry he had to leave us but we are thankful for the time we had.
We are here if you need us,
Charlie and Deb
Lynn Grier (Seward)
What a year I really can’t wait until it’s over. If you need anything please let me.
Patsy
Ruth & family – You are in our thoughts and prayers !!! Much love !!! Patsy & Teresa Peace
Charlie and Evelyn Cruz
Dear Ruth,
It was truly a pleasure to meet Gary at the wedding. We had a glimpse of a good and kind man who we would have loved to get to know more. He will be surely missed.
Please accept our sincere sympathy and deep condolence. Our prayers are with you in this sad time.
Charlie and Evelyn Cruz
John & Dianne Riddell Waterloo Ontario
Ruth, we are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing ! We didn’t know about it until Mary called this morning, (Saturday). Had we known we would certainly have come to the funeral service.
Dianne remembers the many times that Gary and Roger came to their farm at Donegal Ont many years ago.
We also recall the very pleasant visit we had at your place when Sharon passed away.
Robert Schottin
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort and peace to the family.
I use to work with Gary at M&G. He was a great guy.
Bob Schottin
Fred Weaver
Dear Ruth:
I was saddened to hear about Gary’s passing. I knew him and his brothers when I was at Starpoint up until my parents moved to Lewiston in 1962. I do remember his working with cars and I recall being with the gang with their cars at a place on Tonawanda Creek but can’t remember the name of it.
May he Rest In Peace and you and your loved ones have comfort in knowing he’s not suffering anymore. God bless you all!
Betty Rutherford Dean
So sorry to hear of your loss. Having been through it, I know the emptiness. May the love of your friends and family replace the hurt, and fill you with the memories of happier, healthier times.
David Walter
I only got to know you briefly when we were at SUNY Alfred but you were a good friend who will be missed by all. God Bless