Gary J. Barhite of Andover Township, N.J., passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at Newton Medical Center. He was 66.
He was born in Newton, N.J., on June 3, 1954, to the late Edward J. and Evelyn M. (Phillips) Barhite.
Gary (Boomer, G-Man) graduated in 1972 from Newton High, where he played baseball for Coach John Zamos. He continued his education at Keystone Community and Kings College in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Gary started his full-time working career at Selective Insurance in Branchville, N.J., as an underwriter (16 years) then moved on to various insurance companies before finishing at FMI Branchville in 2013. He also held part-time jobs at Seplow Liquors and for the past 16-plus years and currently at Shoprite Liquors in Succassunna and full-time at Sussex Honda Parts department.
Gary continued his love of sports. He managed and played for many local softball teams including the St. Joseph Sinners for many years. He was an avid Mets and Giants fan always keeping track of scores, stats, and players.
His love and knowledge of music was amazing. From the Allman Brothers, Pine Leaf Boys, Tab Benoit, and the Radiators, he could be found at the Beacon, Capitol, Crawfish Fest, Moe.down, the Stanhope House, and for the past 10 years the New Orleans JazzFest. He had an uncanny ability to remember each and every show, artist, setlist, guitar player and instruments played.
Boom made friends wherever he landed and had lifelong friends from grammar school to college. He wore a perpetual smile with a kindness that all who met him could see and feel. He lived a happy life following his nieces, nephew and others as a supporter of many.
Gary is survived and will be dearly missed by his sister, Debra Ogle and husband, Lucky, of Hampton Township, N.J.; nieces, Meghan R. Ogle and fiancé, Charlie Seibert, of Silver Spring, Md., and Rebecca P. Ogle of Dunwoody, Ga.; as well as his nephew, Jimmy S. Ogle of Hampton Township. He also leaves behind his brother, Terry and wife, Dianne, of Fayetteville, Tenn.
A memorial visitation was held May 15 at Wood Funeral Home, Branchville, followed by a memorial service also at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the the Bodhi Monastery Food Pantry, c/o Duke DeGroat, PO Box 535, Augusta NJ 07822.