Gary Piel

Gary was born in rural Indiana with seven siblings, the son of a devoted Christian minister and school teacher. He grew up there and in Toledo to become a loving and inspirational husband and father, to live as a spiritually committed member of the community, and to lead a successful 40-year career as an engineer for Owens-Illinois. A member of the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University basketball teams, Gary played in the N.I.T. Tournament in Madison Square Garden in 1945, and continued to play as a young man. Gary was also an accomplished table tennis player in his youth, and enjoyed golf. Earning several patents early, Gary was promoted and moved several times while at O-I, notably to the International Division, where he served as the companys official representative and guide when foreign visitors arrived in Toledo. He and his wife Mary were active members and congregational leaders for many years in the First Unitarian Church. After raising his family with patience and insight, he returned to graduate from the University of Toledo in 1975, in the company of his sister and son. Kind and progressive, for years Gary was actively concerned about issues of civil rights and fair elections, working for a grand jury in New Jersey and Common Cause in Ohio. In retirement, Gary bought, rehabilitated, and managed numerous duplexes so well that some tenants kept in touch with him years after they moved out. He also worked as a draftsman for his brothers business, and as a substitute teacher - he was always interested in life. Seeming born with a song in his heart, throughout his adult life Gary sang barbershop music in choruses and quartets, and usually sang in his church choir. Everyone who met Gary liked him, for Gary liked people - they felt it. But no one knew better how deeply good Gary was than his family - his wife of 65 years, Mary; his 4 children, Chris, Ellen (David Cook), Diane (d. 2000), and Carolyn (Scott Boettner); his 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; his surviving sister Thelma and brothers Luther and Hilbert. Hearing his exuberant sweetheart! whenever he recognized the voice of one of his daughterswill always echo in our hearts. Here was a man at peace with his life and his views, without an ounce of ill-will for those who differ - the kind who make the world warmer & brighter just by being there. How very much we already miss you. Friends may visit the family on Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM at Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave (west o f Corey Rd). Funeral services and interment will be private