1948
2012
Gary James DeMarte age 63 of Hawthorne, WI passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family.
Gary was born November 11, 1948 in Duluth, MN to Charles & Lorraine (Carlson) DeMarte.
Gary married Julie Brown May 5, 1987, they celebrated 24 years together.
Gary taught shop class at the Solon Springs School District in Solon Springs, WI and retired after 31 years of faithful service. He enjoyed woodworking, Hot Rods, Trout fishing, and loved sharing his passion with his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, father in-law and son.
Among those who survive and gratefully shared his life is his wife Julie of Hawthorne, WI, two children: Jessie (Steven) Phillips of Marion, Iowa, Sara (David) Meller of Hawthorne, WI, seven grandchildren: Skyla, Lucas, Sarah, Mathew, and (baby Grace on the way) Phillips, and Jackson, Ethan and Lily Meller. Mother Lorraine DeMarte, many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father Charles DeMarte.
In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718
A lit window in the darkness marks the room where a woman sits by a sickbed, watching in sorrow disease tightens its grip.
A lit window in the darkness marks the lab where a medical researcher wrestles with puzzles that will unlock a cure.
A special thank you to the St. Lukes Hospice Duluth for their compassionate care of Gary.
A Celebration of Gary's Life will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the Solon Springs School 8993 E. Baldwin Ave. Solon Springs, WI. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the school on Saturday. A private family burial will take place at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home and cremation services of Solon Springs WI. Online condolences may be shared at www.brownfuneralhome.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 11, 2012
Roger Grumdahl
Gary and I were good friends, growing up on the east highside. In high school and UMD we had a lot of fun, bought an old car that Gary loved to work on, along with Ken Fromberg. Over the years we lost touch with each other, but Gary will always be a friend to me and so many others. May your faith, family and friends sustain you in your grief.
April 9, 2012
Judy Kurki-Coleman
My deepest sympathy to Gary's family and friends! I was in orchestra with Gary and graduated from high school with him. He was always respectful, kind and considerate. May the fond memories you have assist you during this difficult time!
April 9, 2012
Terry & Jane Freid
Dear Julie and family, So happy to have met Gary shortly after moving to Solon ... what an awesome man and a great teacher! Your photo album is a wonderful tribute to Gary, his childhood, and your life together ... thanks so much for sharing it with us! Our thoughts are with you!
April 9, 2012
Anna Martineau Merritt
I wrote in here yesterday...today I posted a link to my facebook page and I wrote a small little something and was told I should share this with you, so here is what I said....
"Gary was one of my most favorite teachers, he was a teacher of far more than shop class...he showed me how to expand my photography and to develop my own images, all along teaching life lessons. He truly told you like it was...like when he said to me...Anna, you are never going to be good at drafting (something I truly wanted to do). I will give you all the extra credit I can in photography and developing so you will pass the class. And so I took tons of pics for him and developed them...my favorite one is with him sitting in the frame of the airplane the shop class was building...very fond memories of Mr. DeMarte and Mr. Fairfield...two great teachers of so many things..."
I was truly blessed to have a truly amazing group of teachers when I needed them the most...
April 8, 2012
Jan Lietha
Dear Julie and family, Gary has always been one of the best friends anyone could be lucky enough to have. He knew how to rejoice with you when a celebration was in order. He knew how to grieve with you when things were bad. He could also deliver the proverbial "kick in the rear" when it was needed. And if you weren't paying attention, you could end up in the middle of a prank before you knew what hit you. He loved his family and his friends, and he always told the truth. Sometimes it wasn't exactly what you wanted to hear, and then he would temper it with kindness. He was one of the most honorable people I've ever known, and I will always miss him. Peace to you, Julie and family, and peace to you, Gary, my dear friend.
April 8, 2012
Anna Martineau Merritt
Gary was one of my most favorite teachers, he was a teacher of far more than shop class...he showed me how to expand my photography and to develop my own images, all along teaching life lessons. I am sorry for you loss!!!
With deep sympathy, Anna Martineau Merritt
April 7, 2012
Debbie Stewart
Julie and family we send our sympathy for your loss of Gary, praying for all of you to be comforted in the days ahead, I just remembered that Gary DeMarte took our Wedding photo's back in June 1980...and Tom had him in Shop class as well, a good man and a great teacher! Bless your family with Peace from above! Tom & Debbie Stewart (Solon Springs, WI)
April 7, 2012
Julie,
My heart goes out to you and your family esp during this time and always. I hope you find comfort knowing Gary is at peace. Please remember to take care of yourself as well.
Carol (Luostari) Nygaard
April 7, 2012
David Phillips
Our prayers are with you and your family on Gary's passing.
A memory: Steve's car broke down and the engine started on fire (which Steve doused with coffee from his thermos) on his way to visit Jessie while they were engaged and while Steve and I were living at our parents house in Anoka. Steve asked if I'd help ( he broke down an hour from Anoka) and bring my tool box as Gary gave us instructions on what part to purchase and how to install it. Gary was able to talk us through the repair. Subsequently, Steve invited me up north for the weekend at Julie and Gary's house. We had a great time, got to drink coffee from Julie, Gary, Steve, Jessie, and Jessie's grandparents in the rural northern Wisconsin setting. Gary promptly introduced us to his wood working shop and the whole process from the tree, to a board making machine, to fine production of anything wood. It was cool to be introduced to Jessie's family in this way prior to them getting married. I felt a welcome part of the family if just for the weekend.
We will miss Gary.
Warm regards,
David & Miriam Phillips
April 7, 2012
David Phillips
Our prayers are with you and your family on Gary's passing.
A memory: Steve's car broke down and the engine started on fire (which Steve doused with coffee from his thermos) on his way to visit Jessie while they were engaged and while Steve and I were living at our parents house in Anoka. Steve asked if I'd help ( he broke down an hour from Anoka) and bring my tool box as Gary gave us instructions on what part to purchase and how to install it. Gary was able to talk us through the repair. Subsequently, Steve invited me up north for the weekend at Julie and Gary's house. We had a great time, got to drink coffee from Julie, Gary, Steve, Jessie, and Jessie's grandparents in the rural northern Wisconsin setting. Gary promptly introduced us to his wood working shop and the whole process from the tree, to a board making machine, to fine production of anything wood. It was cool to be introduced to Jessie's family in this way prior to them getting married. I felt a welcome part of the family if just for the weekend.
We will miss Gary.
Warm regards,
David & Miriam Phillips
April 6, 2012
Joanne Zosel
From the moment I entered my teaching career at the School District of Solon Springs, I knew that Gary was someone special. He had a heart of gold, a smile like a kid in a candy store, and a sense of humor that could parallel any paid comedian. He would bend over backwards to help anyone and I was the (hopefully gracious)recipient of this sort of kindness more than once. He usually wouldn't ask if you needed said "help" either, he just would do it. I'll never forget the snowstorm of '91 when my 2-week old baby daughter and I (living on County B) were without power for days, a mile long driveway, and no way or means to get out. During the second day of isolation, I heard a noise and looked out and there was Gary, blowing through 3-4 foot drifts to open my driveway for me. He had that cheshire cat grin on his face and he just waved. There was never a time when I would cross paths with Gary and his gorgeous wife Julie when a back-breaking hug wouldn't ensue. They both have made a difference in my life in how I interact with people. Because of them, even if my day has been lousy, I choose to engage people with a smile and kindness. I am grateful that I got to call Gary, "friend". May his legacy live on in all of us who have been so lucky to have known him.
April 5, 2012
Carole Fromberg Bakke
Gary was one of my brother's best friends and spent a lot of time at our house. I always enjoyed his smile and the antics he pulled along with my brother. He was one of those people that made a positive and definite difference in this world. I am sorry for your loss of this wonderful man.
April 5, 2012
Tim Wright
I am forever grateful for Gary's time he spent with my Dad after their retirement from the Solon Springs School District. My Dad always looked forward to his visits with his former colleagues he served with at the High School.
Sometimes I still can't believe the patience Mr. DeMartre had with his students in all those years of shop class! He had students all over the shop working on different projects all the time. It was amazing.
April 4, 2012
Dan Porter
Mrs. Julie DeMarte & Family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was truly an inspiration to me throughout the years I was his student. Gary's talents reached well beyond his years of experience. We have the pleasure of still having his personal touch in our home and hearts as Gary was the photographer for our wedding. The talents he taught me at school, car projects at his house and being allowed to join him with the adult's in shop night classes will be with me forever. I feel he is with me every time I enter into my wood shop.
Gary was one of the most influential, inspiring teachers that I had and I can honestly attribute my personal success now to the personal interaction I had with Gary.
Sincerely,
Dan Porter
April 4, 2012
Barb & Ron DeFore
Dear Julie and family, So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. We have wonderful memories of him when we first moved to Solon. Deepest sympathy in your loss. Barb & Ron DeFore
April 4, 2012
Kathy Stein
Dear Julie and family,
No words can be said at this time except, I'm so sorry for your loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and hugs,
April 4, 2012
Randi Wheeler
Mr De Marte was one of my favorite teachers. I remember him telling me never to make a career of welding. Also one of his most memorable sayings to me " it's not a ruler stop calling it a ruler." He never gave up trying to teach me no matter how frustrated I made him. I know he will be greatly missed by many.
April 4, 2012
Kris Kelleher
Julie, I am so sorry for your loss.. my heart goes out to you!!!
April 3, 2012
Jean Swanson
What a wonderful man was Gary De Marte! He always had that smile ready even in the midst of the worst predicaments at school. His wit and humor saved many a dreary lunch hour in the teacher's lounge. His pranks on fellow teachers and diggings into the middle of any cake set on the table set us all rolling our eyes, but underneath, chuckling. Thanks Gary for the love and laughter you brought into the lives of so many teachers and students. God has taken you from us, but also granted you peace from your recent illness. See you on the other side some day. Love , Jean Swanson
April 3, 2012
Tyler Kern
Gary was a wonderful shop teacher who had the patience and diligence to teach me numerous skills that have proven useful to me over the years. He will be greatly missed!
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