Gary Martin Katz

Gary Martin Katz, 60, of Clarks Summit, passed away in his home on February 26.

He was born to Meyer and Susan Katz in Brooklyn, NY on July 13, 1963, then spent much of his life in Long Island and Hartsdale, NY before moving to Pennsylvania. He proudly served and deployed in the military from 1982-1986 before meeting his wife — his perfect match — of 32 years, former Melissa "Missie" Sweeney. The couple had their first date on Valentine's Day and a honeymoon in Jamaica.

Gary was a genuine and caring Jack-of-all-Trades who offered a hand to anyone who needed it. He deeply cared for his loved ones and the community. He enjoyed woodworking, automobiles, brewing beer, cooking wild recipes, western movies, rock music (especially the Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin), spending time in the great outdoors, gardening, making pickles and jams, caring for a multitude of different animals, coaching the Elmsford little league for a multitude of years as well as heading Boy Scout Troop 160 subsequently for another several years, attending his local Beer Club, and spending time with all of his loved ones and the community surrounding him. Gary was in the Owl Patrol for the wood badge, he received the district award of merit in the Ironhorse district, he was a firearms instructor at Camp Thunder at the Boy Scout Jamboree, he ran district scout leader round table, and he was involved with the Freemasons in Waverly Lodge #301 in Clarks Green.

He was dearly loved by everybody who knew him and he touched the hearts of anybody he crossed paths with as well being a fantastic role model for the Boy Scouts. He greatly impacted many.

He is survived by his wife Melissa; his son TJ; daughters, Ashley and Allie; his mother, Susan; Uncle Ronnie; brothers Richard, Marc, David, and Jonathan and wife Ema; brother-in-law John (Leila) Sweeney and sisters-in-law MaryLou, Eileen, Angela; as well as his "Auntie Moe" Maureen Henry; extensive cousins on both sides of the family including Cheri (Mark), Joseph, Marissa, Evelyn, Rhonda, Mindy, Steven, Mary-Evelyn (Kenny), Jennifer (Paul), Matthew (Catherine), Dale; beloved nephews Shawn (Stephanie), David, Hector (Brittany), Joseph (Lizette) Matthew; beloved nieces Anna, Ilinca, Meaghan, Ian (Chrissy), Mick, Ryan, Cayden, and so many more. Gary's heart was filled to the brim with friends and best friends as well, such as Paul Kral and Dave Baldwin, friends for a myriad of years, and not to forget beagles Sadie and Reilly, ducks Cap't "Cappy" Fluffy Pants and Willow.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, Meyer, in 2023 and niece, Jessica Melgar, in 2019, and dogs Logan, Copperblue, and Jameson "Jamie".

Services will be held at Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S State Street, Clarks Summit on Sunday, March 3 with visitation from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm and memorial service to immediately follow for anyone or everybody that wishes to say words or otherwise pay their respects.