Gary P. Sitcer, Beloved Husband,
Father and Grandfather, Accomplished Businessman
Gary Philip Sitcer, of Williamsburg, Va., passed away on Friday, November 22, 2024, unexpectedly but peacefully while surrounded by his entire family. He was 79.
Gary was born December 7, 1944 in Pittsfield, Mass., to Kenneth and Florence Sitcer, and grew up in Lanesboro, Mass. He graduated from Pittsfield High School at the top of his class, and one of his proudest achievements was being awarded the Student American Legion Award. The award recognizes a student with courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service, and was a great honor to Gary; those ideals defined him his entire life.
When he graduated from Colgate University in 1966, with the Vietnam War raging, he joined the army and served for three years. He married the love of his life, Jill Rowley, whom he met while in college. In 1968, Gary was deployed to Vietnam, where he served for a year as a lieutenant in Psychological Operations before being honorably discharged.
Gary was a successful businessman, growing companies and taking them to a greater level of success. He sold his business in 2016 and retired to Williamsburg, Va., where he and Jill had built their dream home seven years earlier. He loved their spot overlooking the golf course and enjoyed serving on volunteer committees at Ford’s Colony.
An avid golfer, Gary belonged to Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, N.J., and Ford’s Colony Country Club in Williamsburg, Va. The many hours spent on the golf courses with Jill and his dearest friends led to wonderful times and even better stories.
Gary had a wry sense of humor, his storytelling was legendary, and he always had a great joke to tell. If there was ever uproarious laughter in a room, you knew Gary was at the center. He was described by a friend as “a great man, one of the best.” His love for his family was the most significant thing in Gary’s life, and as he wrote for a family Christmas in 2019, “It is not the things I have accomplished nor any financial success I may have had. The most important things in my life are the people sitting at this table, and my ability to help each of you realize your individual dreams. I might not always agree with your dreams, but I will fiercely defend your right to have them, and will always do my best to help you achieve them. I believe it is why God put me on this earth.”
Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jill; daughters, Robin Quick (Joe) of Mount Pleasant, S.C., Megan Sitcer of Burlington, N.J., Jorie Rozencwaig of Towson, Md., and Wende Sitcer of Richmond, Va. His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Ryan and Brady Quick of Mount Pleasant, S.C., Cameron and Catherine Culbertson of Burlington, N.J., and Benjamin and Caroline Rozencwaig of Towson, Md.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11 a.m., at the Ford’s Colony Swim & Tennis Club in Williamsburg, Va. All are welcome, please contact GarySitcerFamily@Gmail.com if planning to attend for gate access. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Samaritan’s Purse for Western North Carolina Hurricane Relief.
January 2, 2025
