Sarra, Gary J.
Gary J. Sarra, beloved husband, father, and friend, died Thursday, July 29th surrounded by his family. He was 70. Admired for his exceptional kindness, generosity, and compassion for others, Gary will be remembered by a diversity of individuals and communities spanning an eclectic mix of interests, passions, and professions.
He was a fervent amateur radio operator, and spent countless hours finding and restoring antique equipment and forging connections with other operators locally and around the world.
He was an avid amateur astronomer with a depth of self-taught knowledge of our night sky and the tools through which we can observe our most promising frontier. He built a number of his own telescopes and hosted public stargazing activities for local students and the community.
And he was a spirited vintage performance automobile enthusiast frequently seen—and heard—traversing the state in his Ford Mustang Shelby GT.
Gary was deeply devoted to the community of the Gilead Congregational Church, where he served as deacon for nine years, and to his first and foremost priority--his family.
Gary was raised in South Windsor and lived in Barkhamsted, Meriden, and East Hampton prior to settling in Hebron, his home of four decades.
Gary attended South Windsor High School, Hartford
State Technical College, and the University of Hartford. He served in a hospital unit in the US Army Reserve. After college, he joined the field service team at Digital Equipment Corporation, where he met his wife of forty years, Ann, and also worked at the United Technologies Research Center. In 1986, he joined Northeast Utilities (now Eversource), where he served in a variety of roles until his retirement in 2014.
Gary is survived by his wife, Ann (Frascatore) Sarra of
Hebron; his children, son Michael and his wife Julie Bowerman of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and daughter Emily Morrissette and her husband Matthew of Windham; grandchildren Ella and Sawyer Morrissette of Windham, and Grace Sarra of Ipswich, Massachusetts; brothers James Sarra of Escondido, California and John Sarra of Westfield, Massachusetts, and sister Arlene Marvonek of Palm Coast, Florida; and many nieces,
nephews, family members, and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, John and Elsie (Collins) Sarra, of South Windsor.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 10th at 11 a.m. at Gilead Congregational Church, 672 Gilead Street, Hebron. Burial will follow at Gilead Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, August 9th from 4 - 7 p.m. at the church. Services will be largely outdoors, a mask is required for the calling hours and the funeral, and COVID-SAFE. Donations in Gary's honor are welcomed on behalf of Protectors of Animals of East Hartford, Save the Children, and Gilead Congregational Church. Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor is caring for the arrangements. For online condolences and guest book, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.
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