“He had an effect on everybody, just by being polite.” – Cheryl, Gary’s mom

Cheryl and Chet never thought they could have kids. That’s what the doctors said anyway. So when their son Gary arrived, it felt like a miracle. In fact, Gary is a miracle that continues to impact the entire Taylor, PA community even after he left it far too soon.

They called him the “All-American Boy.” It stemmed from his signature Dr. J sneakers, adorned in patriotic red, white and blue, but it encompassed Gary’s friendly persona. When Gary, a studious and empathetic kid, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at age 16, only one thought flashed through his head.

“His main concern was he wanted to graduate with his class, he didn’t want to be held back a year,” said Cheryl.

Gary was class president, ranked fourth in his class and committed to attend Villanova for engineering. His studies remained foremost in his mind even while he missed 53 days of 11^th grade due to treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He was ecstatic when he discovered there were evening radiation hours at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

“He would get out of school and my husband and I would take turns driving him four hours there and back,” said Cheryl. “He would take his school books, work in the waiting room until it was his turn and then come back home. For five weeks he did that.”

After over a year of treatment, Gary was clear to start his senior year of school with no evidence of disease. An avid athlete, he was quick to join his high school’s newest varsity sport, soccer, and get back on the ice as a goaltender for two different ice hockey teams in the fall. For four blissful months, the “All-American Boy” was back. Sadly, it proved a short-lived semblance of normalcy.

“In the middle of January he relapsed and rhabdomyosarcoma is awful when it comes back,” said Cheryl. “He can’t use the same chemotherapy, it’s almost like the cancer has a memory and they have to do something totally different or it doesn’t work.”

The new treatment was taxing. Gary’s weight dropped precipitously. His skin lost color. Soon, the doctors placed him on hospice, sending him home for his parents to monitor. Still, the severity of his disease required plenty of hospital trips. Throughout it all, his friends remained his biggest cheerleaders.

During his 13 nights on hospice, they organized a prayer service that stretched for 13 nights and ballooned from 10 to 400 people singing together.

By May of 2012 graduation was looming, but Gary’s parents knew he likely couldn’t attend. They wanted to give him satisfaction for all his hard work, so Gary’s aunt asked the school for his diploma to present it early. Gary, never one to cut corners, wouldn’t accept it.

“He said, ‘I didn’t graduate yet, I still have my final exams,’” said Cheryl. “I told him he doesn’t have to go back for exams, he has enough credits to graduate. Mostly, Gary wanted to go back to school to see his friends.”

Gary hoped that reunion might come at their senior prom. Gary had planned to go with a friend and he even picked up a pristine white tux. However, his deteriorating health seemed like it might deny Gary his magical moment. His parents knew how badly he wanted to show off that stellar suit which is why they rolled his wheelchair into the van, discretely heading out to prom.

“As soon as we walked into the ballroom everybody was in shock, it was unbelievable,” said Cheryl. “Everybody was thrilled to see him…and then they quickly crowned him prom king.”

For one last night, Gary reprised his role as the “All-American Boy.”

Unfortunately, his situation worsened upon returning home. Gary passed away that next morning, but his death didn’t diminish his widespread impact. His memory lives on through his family’s yearly fundraisers, which supported Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in 2018.

The most telling legacy of Gary remains the imprint he left on others. At one particular counseling session after Gary’s passing, a student approached their community priest sobbing, fearful that no one would acknowledge him now that Gary was gone. He said Gary was the only person who ever said hello to him in the halls.

“He had an effect on everybody, just by being polite,” said Cheryl. ”He was special.”