Gary McDonald

CUYAHOGA FALLS – On Thursday, January 6th, 2022, Gary Brian McDonald passed away peacefully at the age of 80. Gary was born on March 30th, 1941 to Marie McCauley and Francis Glenn McDonald. Gary graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1959 and attended Kent State University. Gary married the love of his life, Carol, on December 18th, 1964. They lived in Stow and Cuyahoga Falls and were both huge fans of The Cuyahoga Falls High School Black Tigers. Gary spent most of his professional life as General Manager at Akro-Mils which is a division of Myers Industries.

Gary wore many names…Uncle Gary, Uncle Goog, Googy, Gooch, Unc and Grand Kahuna. Uncle Goog brought so much joy into all of his nieces and nephews lives. He had a talent for impersonating voices and had perfected Donald Duck as well as Santa on many Christmas Eve calls. Uncle Goog loved to spend time with his tribe, whether he was watching his family play sports, sitting at a graduation, surfing waves, popping a cold Bud Light, watching a show at The Carousal Music Theater, or all the countless night swims at his pool. No wonder he was known to sneak off and take a nap here and there.

Uncle Goog and Aunt Carol have such an anomalous love. It truly is one-of-a-kind and something this family is so blessed to have witnessed and felt. Goog did everything with his love… from cruises to camping, long walks with ice tea breaks, college football Saturdays in the living room…but they most enjoyed their times together in Seagrove walking the beach or reading a good book on their porch staring at the view. He leaves his legacy in the way he treated his wife, his family, his friends, his neighbor…with wisdom, graciousness and kindness. He is the true definition of a sage…a profoundly wise person through his reflections and experiences/a good person/a virtuous person. Thank you for living your life as such a wonderful example to us. Even in heaven you will be our sage…

Our Goog is preceded in death by his sister Cheryl Jones and brother-in-law Bradley Jones. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his niece and nephews, Julie (Dave) Henneman, Jeffery (Laurie) Jones, Bryan (Karen) Jones; his great nieces and nephews, Shannon (Rafe), Seth (Cathy), Cameron (Fawn), Kalie (Anthony), Alex (MacKenzie), Michael (Corbin), Makynna (Teague), Corey (Mackenzie), Tyler (Jamie), Krista; his great great nieces and nephews, Tori, Bella, Jaycee, Nova, Canon, Adrian, Savannah, Asher, Nash, Dylan, Brecken, Miles and Lennox.

Carol would like to send a special thank you to the personnel in Crown Center Laurel Lake, specifically Erin and Ginnene. Also thank you to Laurel Lake Hospice Care, specifically Meredith and Alicia for taking such great care of Gary. Per his wishes a celebration of life with just family will take place.