Gary E. Dubia

Gary Edward Dubia, of Ferrum, passed quietly away June 12. He moved to Franklin County from Brevard, North Carolina in 2009, where he became active in the Franklin County Master Gardeners until his health failed. Gary was born and raised in the Northfield, New Hampshire, area and in true 50’s fashion was a “Fonz”, wearing a “DA” (make that duck tail), tee shirts with rolled up sleeves, and those remarkable 50’s jeans and jackets. His lifelong interest in fine woodworking began at Tilton Northfield High School, where he won a prize for the bureau he made for an intramural competition. As low man on the totem pole at the Ford dealership where he worked as a mechanic, Gary got to be the tow truck driver during the brutal New England winters, rescuing customers and their vehicles stranded in countless feet of snow and ice. Gary said goodbye to winter and, quite understandably, relocated to central Florida in the summer of 1969. In Lakeland, Florida, he chose to work for another Ford dealer. Leaving his tow truck days behind, he became a top notch auto mechanic, specializing in air conditioning. Encouraged by his service manager, Gary entered Ford’s “Mechanic of the Year” competition in 1974 at the age of 25. At the time, Ford had over 44,000 technicians. He won the zone and district competitions in Bartow and Jacksonville and went on to win the regional competition in Atlanta. These successes entitled him to travel to Detroit for the national contest. Competing in a sound-proof bay Gary completed the timed complicated repairs in 47 minutes. As he waited for the results, he was certain he had blown his chances since his competitors worked so much longer than he. His concerns were unwarranted. Not at all surprisingly, Gary won the competition and was named Ford’s Mechanic of the Year. The monetary prize meant less to Gary than the guided tour of the original Ford plant and being able to test drive cars fresh off the assembly line as well as concept cars. In the late 70’s he relocated to Brevard, North Carolina and cofounded Blue Ridge Quick Print, and grew it into a thriving print shop and raised his boys, Gary, Jr. and James. During his time in Brevard he also served on the city’s planning commission. Gary was a strong believer in hard work, commitment, and dedication. There was little he couldn’t do once he put his mind to it. Around 2004 he sold his interest in the shop and went to work as maintenance supervisor for Wyndham Resorts at their Sapphire Valley location. Because he loved interacting with people, it was a perfect fit for him and came to be his favorite job. Gary volunteered to quit that favorite job and move to Franklin County, Virginia, to be with Kathy. Together they completed the rigorous Master Gardener training program, and Gary became a certified Master Gardener after completing over 50 hours of volunteer service. Using his skill and interest in fine woodworking, Gary designed and constructed the perfect bluebird house for the birds he and Kathy loved. These houses hang in trees throughout the county, reminding those who knew Gary of his talents and passion for perfection. Perhaps the perfect dog house for the family of animals he loved was next on his “to-do” list. Nah, he would never have let them live outside! Gary was unfailingly generous and thoughtful of Kathy’s mother and her sister, Susan. Susan lived with them in her final months and Gary took turns to make the daily trips to Roanoke for her chemo treatments. He was so grateful that he was able to spend the last six weeks of his brother Drew’s life in New Hampshire helping to care for him. He continued a close and helping relationship with his Aunt Blanche in New Hampshire up until his own death. His relationship with his brother, Brian, and wife Barb, was filled with joy and laughter. Together, the three of them kept the family alive with merriment and kindness. Gary was exceedingly proud of both his sons and their decision to make the Navy their careers. During the last nine months of his life, Gary found great happiness in Alexis, who brought a teenager’s curiosity, energy, joy, and intelligence into his life. Quick of mind and wit, skilled and talented, generous of spirit, and possessing a loving heart, Gary will be greatly missed by all those who were fortunate to share time and space with him. The family cannot begin to express their appreciation for the loving and generous care shown to Gary the past six months by Carilion Franklin County Hospice. Kitty and Joe always made the time to really listen, to comfort and reassure, and to take the time to just “be” with Gary. He always looked forward to their visits. He always looked forward to visits from the rest of his Hospice team, though was usually less clear on their names and roles in his care. They kept him from feeling lonely. (Special thanks to Cindy Wood, Master Gardener and friend, who took the facts and turned them into a loving tribute.) Gary is survived by his devoted Kathy and Alexis; his sons Gary, Jr. of Oviedo, Florida, and James, of Charleston, South Carolina; his brother, Brian, of Franklin, New Hampshire; as well as CC, “Dad’s Little Girl”. Arrangements are private by Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, Rocky Mount. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Carilion Clinic Hospice of Franklin County.