Garry Phillip Fileccia died peacefully in his home on the morning of May 13th, 2021. He was born on March 22nd, 1945 to Edith (Long) and Phil Fileccia.

Through finesse and fortune, Garry beat the odds repeatedly in his life.

After surviving the Vietnam War, he graduated college. He married his high school sweetheart, Pam. They forged a life that spanned over 50 years together.

They built a house, a family, and a community of loyal friends.

Everywhere Garry went, he collected friends. He had friends at the golf club, at the card table, at every restaurant in town. To his friends and family, he bestowed his jovial sense of humor and an expansive laugh. He laughed so hard in movie theaters that Pam would, at times, not sit by him.

With his friends and family, he went on adventures, such as 14 years of sailing trips to The British Virgin Islands with friends from high school.

Garry was his grandson's best friend; he was his granddaughter's most ardent fan.

He was an avid card player, pool player, golfer, and connoisseur of pasta carbonara and fine chianti; he enjoyed both in Italy with his wife, Pam.

His favorite book was The Three Musketeers. His favorite movie was The Hustler. His favorite place was Anguilla, where he took Pam more times than family can recall.

He played golf from Palm Desert, California to Bar Harbor, Maine. When his children were young, he played golf early to be home by noon to spend the day with them on The St. Joe River. The odds of making a hole in one are 12,500 to 1. Garry made two in his life.

Garry also raised two daughters. He taught one how to drive a boat and snorkel; he taught the other how to shoot pool and enjoy life. Garry adored his two grandchildren. He taught them both how to golf and love unconditionally. He taught them the importance of being part of a family.

Garry made all in his presence feel like family. He finished what he started and taught those he loved to do the same. He tried new things, and made his children do the same. He supported his family come what may and his children and grandchildren plan to carry the tradition forward. He kept his promises, so that those he promised would remember to keep theirs.

One of his last wishes was to sip pinot grigio and eat cheese and crackers in the sun with his family. This wish came true.

He is survived by his daughters, Angela and Allison; his son-in-law Ryan, his grandchildren, Luke and Hannah, his niece, Michelle, and his Nephew, Phillip.

His ashes will be scattered in the Caribbean Sea, along with his wife's, beyond the sunny beaches of Anguilla.

A gathering of family and friends will be from Noon (12o'clock") to 3 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart, where services celebrating his life will begin at 3:00 pm.

Rev. Craig Borchard of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church will officiate. Military honors will be rendered by the U S Army Funeral Honor Guard as part of the the service. Per Garry's wishes, cremation was chosen. The family kindly request memorial contributions to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516 Topeka, KS, 66675

Wounded Warrior Project
PO Box 758516, Topeka KS 66675-8516
Tel: 1-855-448-3997
Web: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/