GARY J. WILSON

WILSON, GARY J., 71, of Coventry, passed away at Kent Hospital on Monday, March 29, 2021.  Gary leaves his loving wife Barbara (Hathaway), they would have celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary in October. 

Born in Akron, Ohio, he was a son of the late William A. Heffner and Betty J. Wilson. He was a graduate of the University Of Maryland. 

Gary served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division, where he amassed a total of 62 parachute jumps. His military decorations include a Good Conduct Medal, Parachute Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and an expert M-16 Rifle.  He was later stationed in Italy before returning back to Rhode Island, where he would work as a machinist, and later an engineer, for General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Gary enjoyed planting his vegetable garden and he loved to share his harvest with everyone. He enjoyed playing horseshoes with his buddy Marc, going to the shooting range, but most of all, Gary enjoyed spending time with his family and the places he traveled to with them. The many cruises to Jamaica, and vacations to Maine, Disney World, memorable trips to Alaska and London with Barbara and his grandson Dylan.

Gary was the loving father of Joshua Wilson (Jennifer), Miriam Frease (Dave), and Jonathan Wilson; beloved step-dad of Ann Marie Rajotte (her late husband Marc), Frederick Zuleger (Cindy), Robert Zuleger (Colleen) and the late James Zuleger.

 Loving grandfather to Cassidy and Rosa Wilson,  Alex Moran, Hunter Frease, Christian and Nick Bollinger, Bethanie Smith, Orion and Hazard Jones.  Gary has joined his buddy Marc and his stepson James in heaven.

Beloved Grandpa Gary to Breeana, Dylan, and Helen Zuleger, and beloved great-grandpa Gary to Devin and Brooklyn Mederios. He will be truly missed by his wife Barbara, his entire family, his many close friends, and his rescue dog Bella and his grand pup Hendrix and his kitty cat. 

Visiting hours will be held, Monday, April 5, 2021, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Iannotti Funeral Home at MAPLE ROOT, 2000 Nooseneck Hill Road (RTE 3), Coventry. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made in Gary’s memory to the Potter League For Animals (potterleague.org) would be appreciated.

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