QUEENSBURY – Gary A. Loke, 67, of Queensbury was promoted to his eternal home on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 while in Albany Medical Center surrounded by his family and loved ones, less than 24 hours after being stricken at home.
Born on September 29, 1947 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he was the son of the late Harold and Margaret (Stevens) Loke.
Gary attended Ohio State University for his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He received his Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from New York State as well.
On September 20, 1980 he married Kay Collins on The Ticonderoga on Lake George.
For 30 years Gary was employed by the Glens Falls School District where he cherished the time he had working with students. He enjoyed saying that he was so proud that after working 25 years in the Middle School, he was “promoted” to the ninth grade. Prior to his employment with the school district, he worked in The Human Resource Center at the Glens Falls Hospital for ten years.
Gary loved Jesus above all others and was a member of a Home church with many friends and family. Early in his married life, Gary fellowshipped at the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church. His Christian roots deepened over the years; faith and family were always the center of his life. He especially cherished growing together with other believers, helping people find God in their heart, and both serving and making friends through the Emmaus Christian Leadership and Service Community.
He loved reading, helping friends and strangers alike in times of struggle, running, biking, hockey, and anything that had to do with a ball. Just about any time you looked in his trunk, you were bound to find at least a tennis ball.
He seldom dropped the ball, but as a junior member of the original Lake George Emergency Squad, he wasn’t allowed to drive or catch babies. All the same, it was evidence of the serving man he was becoming. Gary was in the first Lake George Broomball League and was both leading scorer and MVP for several seasons. Even on the ice he was known for his compassion and gentle ways-unless someone was unfairly roughed up.
A very creative man who listened deeply with his heart, Gary loved to laugh and talk with strangers in the check-out line – a consummate encourager.
Survivors include his loving wife of 35 years, Kay Loke of Queensbury; their two sons Matthew Ryan Loke and Joel Benjamin Loke, both of Queensbury; his four brothers, Harold James “Jim” Loke and his wife, Karen of PA, Ronald Douglas “Doug” Loke of Conn, Marmaduke David “Duke” Loke and his wife, Debra Lee of CA and Herbert Donald Loke and his wife, Teryl “Terrie” of Conn; his sisters-in-law Brenda Collins, Dawn Kirby and her husband, Jerry. Gary’s nieces and nephews include, Julie Loke, Kristen Loke Geer and her husband, Drew, Ted Breen, Reilly Breen, Corey Loke and his wife, Heather, Gregory Loke and Michael Loke, Katherine Kirby, as well as his great nephew Ethan Loke. Gary cherished his cousins, Patricia Balou, and Barbara and her husband, Terry Low and their children, Peter and Brennan, Greg Stevens, and Maureen and their families, all of Canada.
Calling hours will be today, Saturday, February 28, 2015, from 10-11 AM, all at the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church. His family requests colorful attire; please wear anything but all black.
A Remembrance and Celebration of Life will follow directly beginning at 11 AM, officiating will be led by the Holy Spirit thru Michael Bailey, Derek Hansen, Bruce Mason and Nikki Measeck, and all in agreement.
All are welcomed and encouraged to attend the luncheon following the service where old memories will be shared, new ones will be made, and all will be blessed.
The family would like to thank the West Glens Falls First Responders and the staff at the Albany Medical Center. Gary would also encourage you to sign the back of your license, talk with your family, and become an organ donor.
Arrangement are under the direction of the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the West Glens Falls EMS, 86 Luzerne Road, Queensbury, NY 12804, Iris Global Ministries, PO Box 493995, Redding, CA 96049-3995, Northern Frontier Father /Son Scholarships, 3298 Rte 9G, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 or Albany Medical Center Neuro ICU, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, Catch the Fire Toronto, ILSOM, 272 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario Canada M9W6M3 or Bethel Church, 933 College View Drive, Redding, CA 96003.
Gary was one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. I was a tutor for the district and my daughter Logan had him as her counselor in middle school. He would always greet me with a big smile and kind words He often talked about his boys and wife with so much love and pride. Words cannot convey the sense of loss we feel. Our heartfelt sorrow and prayers go to his loved ones. With much love and respect, Shari
Dear Shari,
Gary always spoke so highly of you.
Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts.
Know that God is hearing & answering prayers as we journey
these days, way too soon.
Blessings in Christ’s Love,
Kay
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Loke and family. May he fly high with the angels as he watches over you from a higher desk.
Center family
(Margaret, Katharina, Montana)
Thank you so much!
Know that God is hearing & answering prayers as we journey
these days, way too soon.
Blessings in Christ’s Love,
Kay
Gary,
You are now in God’s hands. Rest in peace my Friend. I’ll always remember the good times we had playing broom-ball together.
Thanks Den,
Know that God is hearing & answering prayers as we journey
these days, way too soon.
Blessings in Christ’s Love,
Kay
Broomball, friendship, and compassion barely begin to describe the many characteristics that comprised Gary. It was our pleasure to have had the honor of knowing him. Save a spot for your wingman in heaven!
Thanks Rob,
Know that God is hearing & answering prayers as we journey
these days, way too soon.
Blessings in Christ’s Love,
Kay
Oh, my dear Kay. My heart aches for you and your boys. I loved Gary. and he was a giant of a boy and man- so full of love. Hang on , my dear. He is still with you. Marion
Thanks Marion,
love, Kay
We are so sorry to know of Gary’s passing. Having worked with him and his boys, we know that Gary was a truly caring and compassionate man. His loss will be felt by so many….
Thank you!
Your kindness and work with children will always be remembered. My thoughts are certainly with the family.
Thank you!
Gary Loke was such a kind and loving soul. He helped me through so much when I was growing up. He was always a gentle and extremely caring man with a smile on his face. It was impossible for anybody to not smile in his presence. He will truly be missed.
Thank you Logan!
Mr Loke was my guidance counselor for 7th and 8th grade. He was a friendly and sweet man, I was blessed to run into him at my friend Kim’s wedding and we were able to catch up. As a mom to a 7th grader at the time, we had quite a laugh. He will be missed.
Thank you Jessica!
I am stricken to hear of Gary’s passing. He was truly a kind soul. I will always remember him as my “Uncle Gary” that kicked butt at broomball with my father and uncle, had poofy red hair, and drove the Bradley GT. In some of my earliest childhood memories, he is there. Always with a smile and laugh and always some words of wisdom. The world will be less of a place without him.
Keeley (Himelrick) Moon
Dear Keeley,
“Uncle Gary” sure loved & had fun with you!
Thanks for sharing your memories.
love, Kay
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a kind man. Some of our children had him as a guidance counselor. He was the type of person you always wanted to stop and chat with no matter how much of a hurry you were in. You knew you would leave with a smile on your face and an impression of how nice the world would be if everyone was as kind and open hearted as he was. He will certainly be missed.
Thank you for sharing your memories!
Kay
Mr. Loke was my guidance counselor in the Glens Falls middle school 6th grade. Now I’m 41 he gave a note back then and I still have it in my wallet R.I.P
Dear Nelson,
Know that he always prayed for his students,
wanted for you to have the best possible education,
to then go & make the world a better place to live!
Mrs. Gary Loke
Gary was one of the people in life that you meet who lived his life according to his belief system. He judged no one. In all the years I worked with him, I never saw him anger. His true gift was seeing in others their struggles and pain. Most of us are too consumed in our own day to look out for our fellow man.
Gary believed in faith and family and he was always more willing to give than receive.
I send my most sincere sympathy to Kay, Matthew, and Joel. He spoke of you ALWAYS and wore his heart on his sleeve for you.
Dear Val,
Gary always spoke so highly of you.
Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts.
Know that God is hearing & answering prayers as we journey
these days, way too soon.
Blessings in Christ’s Love,
Kay
Kay and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Gary was such a great guy and a loving servant of our dear Lord. May God wrap His Loving arms around you and your family and give you peace and comfort at this time. Kay, we know it is comforting for you to know you will see him again. Love, hugs and prayers to you all. <3
Dear Julie & Carl,
Thank you!
Know that God is hearing & answering prayers as we journey
these days, way too soon.
Blessings in Christ’s Love,
Kay
We remember Gary (and his family) fondly over the many years we lived in Queensbury. What a truly pleasant being and kind sole. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The Drellos Family
Thank you!
Kay
Mr. Loke was one of the main reasons I didn’t completely hate Middle School. I spent many a lunch period sitting in his office chatting with him. He was also my homeroom teacher in 7th grade, best homeroom ever. My Best friend and I used to start the day in homeroom playing “heart and soul” on the piano. That song makes me think of him to this day. He was always an encouraging and positive presence in my life when things got rough, and even when things were going well. RIP Mr. Loke. Your presence on this earth, shall be missed.
Thank you Caitlin for sharing this great memory!
Mrs. Loke
My deepest sympathies to Kay, Matt, Joel and family. Gary was truly a special and kind man. May God comfort you and bring you peace during this unfortunate time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks Terry,
Know that God is hearing & answering prayers as we journey
these days, way too soon.
Blessings in Christ’s Love,
Kay
Dear Kay and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. I only met Gary a couple summers ago, and right away I felt like I knew him for years. Talking to him was so effortless and interesting. He was such a kind, smart and gentle man. I’m sure he was a terrific husband and father.
Condolences and prayers to you and your family.
Vic Celadon and family
Thank you Vic!
Kay
My deepest sympathy to the Loke family at this sad and difficult time. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you!
Dear Kay and Family:
It’s been many years since we’ve seen you and Gary but wanted you to know we were thinking of you. My brother Gary, husband Mike and I were so sorry to hear of your loss and have such wonderful memories.
Sending you our thoughts and prayers. Irene (Cleveland) Magee, Michael Magee and Gary Cleveland
Thanks Irene & Mike, & Gary!
Kay