Gary T. Thayer

Gary Thomas Thayer, 70, died Saturday, November 21, 2020 at UPMC in Pittsburgh after a protracted cancer fight. Born at East Liverpool City Hospital on August 18, 1950 to George Franklin and Mary Lou Burris Thayer, Gary was the first born of six children in the family. He was raised in Klondike and educated in East Liverpool schools. After a raucous youth Gary settled down to work many years in autobody repair & painting with Perorazio’s of East End, then later as shop management with Buckman Chevrolet-Cadillac. He worked until his health no longer allowed. Gary’s artistic talents were 35mm nature photography, painting, drawing and handwriting. He relished a good smoke, fine tequila, home-cooked meals, his mother’s black raspberry pie and his wife Claire’s scratch-made French cheesecake. Gary had an infectious laugh and he embraced life to the fullest. As a younger man he enjoyed domestic travel, sharp cars and bad-ass trucks along with Harley Davidson motorcycles. He listened to classic rock and country music. To the end Gary was ‘all-boy’ a big man who loved and expected a lot from the women in his life, including his mother who spoiled him for a lifetime. They watched many a Sunday afternoon Pittsburgh Steeler game together and shared the excitement of this undefeated season. One recent call from UPMC ended with, “Well, I’ve got to go. A fine-looking young woman just walked in here!” When we hear ZZ Top sing ‘sharp-dressed man’ we’ll always think of Gary and Claire who carefully chose his wardrobe.

After his father had died, Gary reflected on and talked about the 42 years of steel mill work his dad spent to provide well for their big family. He had respect for the military accomplishment of The Greatest Generation. Gary cultivated many friendships throughout his life and this year spent two months in Alabama helping friend Jeff during his wife’s terminal illness. He loved good summer-times spent at Guilford Lake with his friends. Gary learned to accept help from others while having compassion for those in worse shape than he was. From his meager resources Gary delivered Thanksgiving groceries in past years to needy neighbors. He tried to participate in good things. Gary learned to cook after he retired and he perfected home-cooked soups which he shared with family and friends.

Left to cherish Gary’s memory: wife, Claire, his mother, brother Dick & Karen Thayer of Calcutta, sister Sally & Bob Murray of Lisbon, sister Joyce Thayer of Jonesboro, Arkansas, nephew(s) Rich & Aron Thayer of Graham, North Carolina, Tyler Thayer & Alexandria of East Liverpool, and great-nephews Grayson and Cassius, close personal friends Mecca, Jeff, Scott, Shane and Lisa. He was preceded in death by his father, sister Connie McDevitt and brother William.

There will be no services as Gary chose years ago to donate his body for medical research.

11/24/20