Lima/Livonia: At age 82, Gary passed peacefully on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, NY. He was born on September 23, 1941, in Rochester, NY to the late Carson “Jack” and Evelyn (Gray) Patterson. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Sylvia Patterson. Survived by his wife of 61 years, Elsie (Downey) Patterson; daughter Cheryl (John) Lavery of Livonia; and grandchildren, Meghan Lavery and Brendan Lavery as well as other close family and friends.
Gary was raised in the town of Hemlock, where he attended school until his class merged with Livonia. As a young man, Gary worked on the family farm for his uncle, Harmon Gray. During this time, he met his beautiful bride Elsie while she was waitressing at the Milky Way in the village of Livonia. The two fell in love and were wed on August 11, 1962, at St. Michael’s Church in Livonia Center. Shortly after, they moved into their home in Lima, where they lived happily together for all 61 of their married years.
In the early 60’s, Gary purchased the Keystone Gas Station in the village of Livonia, a community staple which he owned and operated for many years to support his family. Gary and Elsie welcomed their daughter Cheryl in 1969, raising her with fond memories of that home on Clay Street.
Among these memories are the Lima Rodeo, which Gary and Elsie operated out of the field across from their house. The Rodeo drew crowds of thousands, celebrating the skill and toughness of cowboys like Gary, who served as a pickup man. He would rescue other riders and wrangle the horses and bulls, while occasionally riding a bull or two himself. Gary made a band of good friends through the rodeo who remain close to his family to this day.
Although he was a Lima resident, Gary’s heart never left Livonia. He served his community as a member of the Livonia Fire Department, as well as the Livonia Rotary, which he chaired as the president in the 70s. He gave countless hours and built strong bonds with his fellow Rotarians, who have shown up for his family time and time again throughout the years.
Some of these connections include members of the Hemlock Little World’s Fair Board, of which Gary was a proud member for many years. The Hemlock Fair was a yearly staple in Gary’s life: a week to celebrate the community and agriculture that he held so dear. He passed this love on to Cheryl and his grandchildren, who in later years would look forward to finding him seated at the Sawmill, shaded from the July heat.
Gary loved model trains, constructing an elaborate layout in the basement of his Clay Street home. The layout, named “Cherel Valley” after his wife and daughter, is an entire world modeled after the mountains of Colorado that Gary once visited by train with Elsie. Cherel Valley transports us back in time to the early settlers of the wild west, featuring intricate miniatures and operational model trains that wind through landscapes of red rocks and alpines. The layout is so detailed and expansive that it has been featured in magazines, drawing admiration from near and far. Gary found deep connections with other train enthusiasts, and he was so beloved by his close circle that they nicknamed him “Bubba.”
But perhaps above all, Gary loved his family. He was devoted to his wife Elsie, often taking her for milkshakes (although nothing could beat the Milky Way). Nicknaming his daughter “Scooter,” his love for Cheryl knew no bounds, finding gratitude in her care for him despite any struggles he faced with his health. And “Grampy” held a deep affection for his grandchildren, “Meggers” and “Super B,” who he always encouraged and advised with unfailing wisdom. He had a soft spot for little dogs, and his furry companion Middy will miss spending afternoons on his lap.
The family would like to thank those who gave such thoughtful medical attention to Gary, including Wendy (Dechau) Thompson and Sally Collins, as well as Dr. Brian Smith from UR Cancer Center, Dr. Tallman of Mount Morris, and Anne Finch from Thompson Health ICU.
No calling hours will be held. A graveside service and burial will be held privately at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Livonia, NY. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Sunday, June 9 th
, at 2pm at the Hemlock Fairgrounds, 7370 Fair Street, Hemlock, NY. At 2:30pm there will be a Memorial Service to share stories of Gary’s Life. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Hemlock Fair Association, PO Box 263, Hemlock, NY 14466 or to the Sands Cancer Center, 395 West Street, Suite 101, Canandaigua, NY 14424. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
