Gary “Gar-Bear” Brian Hackle

Gary “Gar-Bear” Hackle

Gary “Gar-Bear” Hackle, 69, of Huntsburg, passed away November 4, 2022. He was born March 30, 1953 to George and Grace (Gehring) Hackle in Euclid, Ohio.

Gary’s favorite job, other than taking care of his wife, family, and home was at St. Denis Golf Course in Chardon where he was the pro-shop manager.  It truly was his dream job wherein he worked at a beautiful place, with some great people, and got to play golf on his off hours.  He retired early, at age 60, from St Denis and loved every minute of retirement. He also worked at a pet store where he acquired the love of breeding fish and making up special tanks for shrimp, snails or fish. In addition, he also worked in a steel mill, was a mechanic, an archery instructor, and purchasing manager. Gary even got his Real Estate license in 2016 to help his wife with her business as she was traveling to Utah frequently to visit the grandkids. He was a hard worker his entire life and loved staying busy.

Gary was living his best life – with so many hobbies and activities that kept his days full.  He was a huge list maker of anything that needed to be done.  As an avid golfer he was most proud of the coveted hole in one he got.  He loved trying new beers, dark ones, interesting named ones and German ones. He loved fixing anything, from a small toy to a hot tub; he could tear apart a car engine or repair a plumbing leak.  A typical day in the life of Gary would be tinkering with small motors, messing around in the garage, cleaning his guns, planning unique meals (or ordering from Hello Fresh meals) to baking bread or firing up the grill and his smoker.  He loved cuddling or playing with his pups and taking Ruger, his dog, to the Club to go swimming. Gary was a fan of Calvin and Hobbes comic strips and would watch Caddyshack every time it was on TV.  He had an eclectic taste in music from Moody Blues to Chris Daughtry to Counting Crows or Trans-Siberian Orchestra – he loved a good guitar riff or drum solo.  Getting great seats at concerts for him and his wife was one of his super-powers. One of his treasured memories he spoke of was backpacking with a friend through Europe after graduation.  Gary HATED flying with a passion!  But allowed his wife to “liquor him up” sufficiently to fly to wonderful vacations in and out of the country, like Jamaica, Florida, Punta Cana, Mexico, and Las Vegas. Family vacations with the kids to Mackinaw Island, Nashville, Myrtle Beach, Ocean City, and various camping trips were also treasured memories. He was a firm believer that everyone’s opinion mattered which included frequent political venting on Facebook.

Gar-Bear will be missed every day by his loving wife, Kym (nee: Stalzer); his children, Jeff (Jessica nee: Duckro) LaDow and Randy LaDow; and his favorite little “grand people”, Reuben, Nora, Juniper, and Delilah, who always made him smile.  They would always ask Alexa to play Gary’s Ringtone “Who Let the Dogs Out” or ask Alexa to add stuff to the shopping list like popsicles, apple juice, popcorn, or Bakugons for when Gar-Bear went shopping.  All of the kids that stayed at the Hackle house knew what a soft touch he was for whatever they wanted.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Doug Hackle.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 15, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon.

Please, absolutely NO FLOWERS. Instead, in Gar-Bear’s memory, consider sending donations to Back Streets Rescue, 772 S. Spruce, Jefferson, OH  44047, bringing cookies to the funeral home, or simply doing something nice for someone.

Arrangements made by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon, OH.  Information and condolences on-line at www.burrservice.com