Birth date: Oct 2, 1942 Death date: Feb 24, 2016
Gary Buffo was a great father, husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He lived his life with enthusiasm, embracing adventure in many forms – fishing; hunting; golfing; and riding his motorcycle across the country, mos Read Obituary
I only just learned of Gary's passing today (we moved from Lakewood last Januay), and I am in shock. I was invariably cheered up by any encounter with Gary; he always had a couple of jokes to tell, along with his adventures on the rode with his motorcycle. He will always be with me in the gym (unnngghhh!), listening to the Beach Boys on his earbuds, paying no attention to my ribbing about his grunts and groans as he moves more iron than I ever could.
We knew Gary since 1995. What began as business colleagues ultimately developed into a dear & lasting friendship spanning better than 20 years.
As a colleague, he was a formidable & consummate sales professional who epitomized relationship selling. As a friend, Gary tied great relationship knots; was generous in support of others; and was routinely an anchor in choppy waters. Regardless of the length between contacts, he was always the best version of himself.
It is a bitter irony Gary found himself in such a dark place his final days when he shone so much light on those whose lives he so greatly touched.
It is befitting we cite an old Irish proverb in articulating the affect/imprint Gary surely left on us & countless others…
...“There are good ships, there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea,
But the best ships are friendships
And, Gary, ours will always be.”
Steve & Barb Hewson
Gary,
I miss you my dear friend. I miss our times outdoors hunting, fishing, boating, and occasionally golfing and just sitting around the campfire enjoying each other's company.
I especially miss our happy hours and breakfast at Bur's. I could go on and on with what I miss but I will cherish the memories of our excursions such as laying under a tree in the Idaho snow saying to each other, "It really smells like an elk slept here last night," while the smell came from the elk walking by us on the other side of the tree; or when you made the snow angle near Mt. Adams, "only there was no snow." I will cherish a million more memories such as these and I could never forget you, my dear friend. Until we meet again.
Rock Boardman
We only knew Gary for a few days. We met on a motorcycle trip in the summer of 2014. A few days was all it took to know that Gary was a kind, honest, caring man who deeply loved his wife and family. We are so very saddened that he is gone.
Gary had to eat a little crow in Stanley, Idaho when the only motorcycle that would not start was his highly praised one (by him, teasing Ike every chance he got). After much pushing to and fro, it was decided that him and Ike would pull off the amazing amount of cowling required to reach the battery. Over two hours later, we were on the road again, Gary taking the ongoing ribbing with a smile.
We hope that he is with his wife, riding the bike of his dreams and knowing how much he touched the lives of all he met.
Rest in peace Gary.
Graham and Yvonne
My dear brother, Gary.
I will forever mourn you not being here with me and our family.
I am having a very hard time accepting that you died at your own hands. I trusted you when you promised me that you would not hurt yourself. I feel guilt that I somehow should have done more to stop you. I must and will eventually let that guilt go.
Thanks for being such a caring and loving brother. Someone who I could always count on and who consistently put other’s needs before your own. I learned a lot for from you. I am a better man because of you.
I know how deeply you were hurting and absolutely understand that your depression anxiety and fear removed your ability to uphold the integrity that guided you throughout your life. Your mind was compromised to the point that the decision to shoot yourself was no longer yours. Gary did not let me down. I forgive you.
Now I must focus on the many gifts in your life and how much time we were lucky enough to get. You sure had lots of fun. You impacted so many with your kindness and compassion. You will be missed far more than you ever realized.
I love you. I miss you. I will always remember you.
Rest in peace my dear brother.
Chuck AKA Charlie to brother Gary.
We remember our dear next door neighbor as fun, carefree and loving. His wit and charm will forever last in our minds and hearts. He gave Us balloons for birthdays and cinnamon rolls at Christmas. He proudly shared his bike trip photos with vivid descriptions of people he had met and scenery that awed him. His heart was very kind. We were with him and tried very hard to help him during his last days on earth. We will meet up again Gary. When we do so, we will both dance for you.
I will miss you so much dear brother Gary; and I will always think of you doing the things you loved - archery/hunting, fishing, motorcycling, and being with family and friends. You were a bright light in my life.
Gary was a good friend to me and my father. We played golf for years almost every Sunday. When my father could not play golf any longer due to illness, Gary would always call and check up on him to see how he was doing. Gary. my wife Francine and I took several motorcycle trips together and we will miss his friendship and conversation. He will be greatly missed.
