Gary Steven Katz was born in Brooklyn, NY. His parents were Leon and Mary Katz. He was raised in Flatbush, attended Erasmus Hall High School and received his AAS degree from New York City Community College. He married Ervene Rochelle Grantz in 1959. Gary actively served in the Army Signal Corp from 1963-1964 in Northern Italy and received his Honorable Discharge from the Army Reserves in 1969. Gary and his family moved to Gainesville, Florida in 1979. He was employed by Lamson and Sessions PVC Pipe manufacturing in High Springs where he was in charge of Quality Control, until he retired in 2000. He enjoyed classical music, historical fiction, the Gators and loved to travel. Gary served proudly as President of Temple Shir Shalom in 1996. After retiring he volunteered at North Florida Regional Medical Center for more than 10 years. He also was a volunteer for Gainesville Harvest and the Florida Cancer Center as well as acting as a Deputy at the Polls during voting. Gary was devoted to his wife and children, Ruth Pano (Steve), Howard (Melissa), Eric Andrews-Katz and his two granddaughters Rowan and Rebecca. In his memory, if you feel so inclined, please consider a donation to Haven Hospice, Temple Shir Shalom, or your favorite charity.