In 1945, he came to the Olean area to visit a friend who he
served in the Army with. There he met
Beverly M. Eaton of Olean whom he married on March 30, 1955, and who
predeceased him on March 16, 2023.
Gary graduated from Fort Ann Central School in 1948 and
never lost his love for the Adirondack State Park and the beautiful mountains
and lakes that exist there. In 1951, he
was invited by Uncle Sam to join the Army, were he spent 33 months in the
Military Police. From March 1955 to October 1979, he was employed in
Engineering and Sales at Acme Electric, Cuba, NY. From 1979 to 1986 he was
co-owner of B-B Electric and Systems in Bradford, PA. After retiring he worked
part time for Norton Electric in Eldred, PA.
Gary and Beverly were members of the Friendship Methodist
United Church since 1960. Gary served on the Friendship Village and Town Boards
for six years, was Town Justice for seven years and served on the Friendship
School Board for five years. He was a member of the Cuba-Friendship Lodge #306
F&AM, and during that time, he was a Past District Deputy from 1990 – 1991,
and served on several Grand Lodge Committees. He was also a member of the
Corning and Rochester Consistory, Damascus Shrine, Court 3 Royal Order of
Jesters, Allegany County Shrine Club, New Smyrna Beach, FL Shrine Club, New
York State Magistrates Association, the Friendship American Legion Post 1168
and the Friendship Rotary.
After retiring, Gary and Bev traveled extensively in the USA
and Canada, and for several years spent the winters in New Smyrna Beach
Florida. His hobbies were woodworking, hunting and traveling. He loved to
travel around the county in his Shay replica of a1929 Model A Roadster.
Surviving are: two sons Richard (Kristine) Rathbun of
Friendship, NY; Bradley (Barbara) Rathbun of Burlington, KY; and a daughter
Suzanne (Randy Gratton) of Gates; four grandchildren, James (Jessica) Rafferty,
Megan (Brett) Miner, John (Aimee) Rathbun and Richard Rathbun;
great-grandchildren Emmerysn, John, Cecilia, Landon, Reed, Rhys, and Jackson.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a great
grandson Ian Miner, sisters Greta Harris, Patricia Ungleich, brothers Rodney C.
Rathbun and Douglas R. Rathbun; sister-in-law Alyce Rathbun and brother-in-laws
Erwin Harris, Richard Eaton and Donald Ungleich.
Friends may gather at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home &
Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street, Cuba, on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from
2-4 P.M. at which time Funeral Services ill be held. The Rev. Rebecca Worth, will officiate.
Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Friendship, New
York.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Shriners
Hospital, or the Hart House of Allegany County.
