MATTAWAMKEAG – Retired Sgt. 1st Class Sheldon Albert Gary died July 14, 2007, at a Lincoln health care facility. He was born June 14, 1935, in Mattawamkeag, the son of Albert and Helen (Philbrook) Gary. Sheldon was a “lifer” in the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam and retiring in 1977. He then went to work as a maintenance man at Forster’s Manufacturing, Mattawamkeag, working there until the plant closed down. Sheldon was a member of the DAV, Medway, and was a past member of his local VFW. He loved to spend time at his camp, fishing, hunting, digging clams, and picking fiddleheads and berries. He was known on the blueberry fields as “The Pickle Man,” as he would pick, cook and can the berries all in the same day at camp. Sheldon is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carolyn (Trafton) Gary; a son, Phillip Hild and his wife, Sebene, of Tuebingen, Germany; three daughters, Esther Gary of Badboll, Germany, Anna Russell and Melissa Russell, both of Mattawamkeag; four grandchildren, Sarah, Jana, Robert and Jonathan; a brother, Blaine Gary and his wife, Mildred, of Mattawamkeag; he will be missed by some special friends, John Robinson, Jim Jones, Gary Webb and the gang on the camp road, of which Sheldon was “the gatekeeper”; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers, Weyburn and Wendall; and two sisters, Genevia and Helen. Friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at the funeral home with the Rev. Carolyn Metzler officiating. Interment will at Mattawamkeag Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to help the family with funeral expenses may be left at the funeral home. To leave condolences online, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
RETIRED SGT. 1ST CLASS SHELDON ALBERT GARY
