Obituary of Gary K. Mlacker

Gary K. Mlacker ("The Big G" affectionately called by his eldest son Kevin), 88, formerly of 2886 Chautauqua Ave., Ashville, passed away Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 at Heritage Green Rehab & Skilled Nursing. He was the husband for 60 years of the late Brenda Bradigan Mlacker who died Sept. 28, 2015. Gary was born March 16, 1935 in Gowanda, NY and was a son of the late Michael and Frances Selan Mlacker, growing up on the family farm. He graduated from Forestville Central School where he played baseball and football, and received his associate degree in Agriculture from Alfred State College. He began playing drums at the age of 9 and together with his brother Don (accordion) won numerous amateur competitions in Buffalo. Gary went on to play drums in bands for 40 years in many clubs and restaurants. Gary worked for Allegheny Ludlum Steel in Dunkirk as a grinder, then for GLF Co. grain and feed store in Holland, NY, followed by 31 years with Prudential Insurance Co. as a salesman, sales manager and district manager. After retirement he helped build their retirement home on Chautauqua Lake, and also worked part time on many construction projects for others. Gary was incredibly resourceful and did everything on his own, building and fixing anything, including the home on the lake. He cut down trees and chopped his own wood into his 80's. A huge Buffalo Bills fan, Gary enjoyed boating, fishing, and RV-ing, spending many winters in Leesburg, Fla. Surviving are two sons: Brian B. (Susan) Mlacker of Jamestown and Gregory A. Mlacker of Miami, FL; ten grandchildren and their families: Natalie (Rick) Kress and their children, Kylie and Gavin of Bemus Point, Sonja (Andrew) Benchley and their son Reed of Fredonia, Heather (Justin) Conti and sons, Silas and Rhett of Kennedy, Brett (Brittany) Mlacker and their children, Briella, Brady and Baker of Ashville, Michael (Maya) Mlacker and their daughters, Julia and Jade of Michigan and Florida , Stephanie Ann (Colin) McNamara and sons, Wesley and Colin (CJ) of Pinecrest, FL, Michelle (Tony Wildasin) Mlacker of Jersey City, NJ, Ashley (Markus) Hubner of Russelsheim, Germany, Jonathan (Elena) Mlacker and their children, Jonny and Helena of Rochester, and Daniel Mlacker of Santander, Colombia; daughter-in-law, Constance Mlacker of Jamestown; niece, Michelle Flatt of Arizona and nephews, Jeffrey and Michael Mlacker of New York; as well as his best friend, Dale Griffis of Chardon, OH. Along with his wife Brenda, Gary was preceded in death by two sons, Rev. Jonathan P. Mlacker in 2006, and Gary Kevin Mlacker in 2022; and brothers, Donald in 1998 and Wayne in 2022. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16th in the Lind Funeral Home, led by Rev. Mark Swanson. Burial will be in the Pioneer Cemetery in Forestville. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service in the funeral home Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd., Jamestown, NY 14701.