When I was a little boy in the Bronx, Gary had held the Indoor Shot-Put Record while at NYU, and he also competed in Discus Throwing. He lived in the house right next to mine on the corner of 180th Street and Aqueduct Avenue, and my family and his family were friends. His father Ben used to speak with me and was a wonderful man, and so was Gary himself. He had so many muscles that he was featured in weight-lifting magazines and he represented the USA in the Olympics. I used to speak to Gary quite often even though I was just a little boy.
I just learned of his passing and I feel very bad about it. We both lived in a predominately Jewish neighborhood although I was Irish. He was a high school football standout at De Witt Clinton High School as well.
As far as I'm concerned, the world lost a great fellow when Gary passed away!! Shalom!!!