JUPITER, FL (and Maine) – Gary Alton West, Sr.,70, surrounded at home by his loving family, completed his valiant yearlong battle with cancer and went to the open and comforting arms of his Lord on October 10, 2013. He was born on February 7, 1943, in Belfast, Maine, the second son of Chalmers L. “Pat” West and Erva L. (Jones) West.
Gary had two passions in his life, sports and family. In his youth,Garywas an excellent baseball and basketball player at Stockton Springs. As point guard for the Rockets,Garynever shied away from taking the open shot. During one game in particular,Garyscored 37 of the team’s 45. In his adult years,Garyloved to golf with his wife Linda, playing mostly out of Penobscot Valley Country Club and Bangor Muni. And even though he stood on the wrong side of the ball, he was longer off the tee than most anyone.Garywas a very enthusiastic fan and booster of theUniversityofMainemen’s basketball program and was inducted into the Graduate M Club in 1993. He attended so many team practices over a 20 year period that countless players and staff affectionately came to know him as “Coach”.
Gary’s biggest passion was his family, first and foremost was the Love of His Life, Linda. Having met as young teenagers, they finally married at the ripe old age of 17. Over the next 53 years they built a family together, worked together and played together. Simply put, they were inseparable.Garyprovided an untiring and unconditional source of love, guidance and encouragement to his four children. He was also very proud of his grandchildren fromMaineandFlorida.Garywas a very sentimental family man, choking up at every good bye.
Garyhad two very successful careers in the accounting profession. He spent the first 25 years in major industry with employers such as St. Regis Paper Company & Champion International. Beginning as a Clerk, he rose through the ranks to become a Divisional Comptroller, overseeing the financial operations of several sawmills and timberlands throughout the country. In 1988,Garyopened his own accounting firm specializing in the forest products industry. He relocated to Jupiter in 2001, where he continued to maintain his business. He developed many very close relationships with his clients, starting out as customers and ending up as family.Garywas a Past Master of Pownal Masonic Lodge 119, Stockton Springs. He also served as a deacon for several years at the Veazie Congregational Church.
Gary was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his Loving wife of 53 years, Linda J. (Jellison) West, daughter Kimberly (West) Marston and husband Mark of East Millinocket, ME, son Gary West, Jr. and wife Andrea of Brewer, ME, Karen (West) Hap and husband Jeffrey of Jupiter, FL, son Patrick West of Jupiter, FL., grandchildren, Dana, Monique, McKenzie, Jesse, Sara, Olivia, Brandon, Chase, Asianna, Andrew, Alexandrea, great grandchildren Camryn and Ryan.Garyis also survived by his only brother Ronald West and wife Barbara of Palm Bay, FL., along with very dear friends Wayne and Gaelyn Bunker ofFt. Lauderdale,FL.
The family would like to thank the Palm Beach County Hospice Orange Team for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to the American Cancer Society. Graveside service will be announced at a later time.