Obituary of Gary A. Gustavson

Gary Albert Gustavson of Franklin, PA went home to be with the Lord at 5:17am on Christmas morning bringing an end to his four year courageous battle against Lymphoma cancer. Gary was born on June 19, 1944 in Erie, PA to the late Gunnar and Gladys Swanson Gustavson. Gary loved Lake Erie and spent his formative years enjoying swimming, gymnastics, boating and fishing with his family and friends. As a teenager his loves also included fast cars and his favorite “Rock Around the Clock” 50’s music. Gary Graduated from McDowell High School in Millcreek, PA in 1963 then immediately enlisted in to the United States Air Force and was shipped out from Pittsburgh to attended Basic Training in San Antonio, TX. Gary then served 4 years in the northern tip of Maine at Loring AFB during the Vietnam Conflict as a Diet Supervisor. He was honorably discharged in 1967. Upon returning home Gary enrolled at Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in Management in Business Administration. Gary went to work as a Quality Engineer for the Lords Corporation in Erie following graduation. After 4 years he was transferred to Connecticut until 1981. He then took a job for GTE Sylvania in Pleasantville and Warren, PA until 1996. He then went to work for Toyo Tansa PA Graphite in Brookville, PA until his retirement in 2002. He was a member proud of the American Society of Quality Control. Since retirement Gary has enjoyed working part time in database administration, sales and security. Gary married his wife Penny Bromley Gustavson on December 11, 1993 at the Titusville First Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, as the traveled throughout the country, Caribbean, Europe and to numerous states many times a year with their beloved “Crash Family”. Gary served as a Assistant Manager for Titusville Area School Distric Tyc-Toc Youth Center for 13 years. He received numerous awards for volunteering with Youth and the Arts. Gary served for many years as a PIAA Swimming Referee for the YMCA and as the President of the Titusville YMCA Swim Team Parents Association. He is a member of the Titusville Presbyterian Church where he also served as an usher and volunteered with the youth and women’s associations for many years. He enjoyed years of bowling in leagues, hunting, fishing, and his favorite pastime of golf where he also golfed in leagues. Gary, a gentle soul, was a second generation American and found pleasure in celebrating his Swedish heritage. Each year decorating a room of the house for the holidays and hosting his Holiday Swedish Smorgasbord. He also enjoyed working on his family ancestry. Gary was a member of the American Legion, Franklin Elks Lodge, Franklin Moose Club and the Franklin Rotary Club. Gary is survived by his wife, a sister Janet (Jerry) Miller of Richmond, Va., two daughters Amy (Mike) Garland and Elizabeth (Brian) Morgan of Boardman, OH, a Step-Daughter Courtney (Anthony) DeDionisio of Franklin and a Step-Son Heath (Brandy) Bromley of Oil City, PA. Gary is also survived by ten grandchildren including Olivia, Nate, Carina and Samantha Garland, Jordan and Brooklynn Morgan, Michael and Ethan DeDionisio and Easton and Colton Bromley. He is also survived by a Mother-in-Law Carolyn Bromley of Pleasantville and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceeded in death by his Father-in Law Clarence A. Bromley. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 11am at the Titusville First Presbyterian Church with Tom Newcombe officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church 216 N. Franklin St., Titusville, PA 16354 or to the Kirtland Cancer Foundation P.O. Box 108, Franklin, PA 16323.