Pharmacy owner who always had a smile on his face

A dedicated and admired pharmacist, father and husband, James Gary was a man who made the people around him feel special.

Mr. Gary, 87, of Collier, died last Sunday of congestive heart failure.

“He was so happy all the time; he always had a smile on his face,” said Mr. Gary’s daughter-in-law, Kelly Gary of Glen Osborne, who recalled how welcoming he was the first time they met. “He hugged me right away, instead of just a handshake.”

Mr. Gary was born in Ambridge, graduating from Ambridge High School in 1948.

As a teen, he worked in a local pharmacy while contemplating his future.

“He told the pharmacist that he was going to quit and join the Navy,” Ms. Gary said. “But, the pharmacist convinced him to go to school.”

Mr. Gary attended Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, then enlisted in the Army.

In 1974, Mr. Gary bought Hoffman’s Drug Store on Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa, followed by Health Care Professional Pharmacy in Moon, where he worked alongside his son, William Gary, who also became a pharmacist.

“We had two stores going for a while,” said the younger Mr. Gary, 58.

In 1987, Mr. Gary lost his wife Virginia to cancer after 32 years of marriage. Two years later, he married Alice Lardas Gary, who survives.

“He was brought back to life again after he suffered through losing his wife,” his daughter-in-law said. “He didn’t think he could go on, but he found love again.”

In 1988, Mr. Gary reconnected with old friend and fellow pharmacist Emanuel Panos, who he knew from the local Greek community. At the time, Mr. Panos was hoping to buy his own business.

“Jim was retiring at the time, and his wife had just passed away,” said Mr. Panos, of Upper St. Clair. “He approached me about buying Hoffman’s. He financed it for me — otherwise I would probably not have been able to buy it.”

Mr. Panos continues operating the neighborhood drug store, opened in 1921 by Winton Hoffman.

Even after he retired, Mr. Gary worked part time.

“He worked in a local pharmacy two days a week after he retired, just to keep active,” his son said.

Mr. Panos and Mr. Gary served together in the choir at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mt. Lebanon. Mr. Gary also assisted him years earlier by offering a recommendation to the dean of the Duquesne pharmacy school when Mr. Panos applied for acceptance.

“I’m sure that it had some influence,” Mr. Panos said. “He was such a nice guy. I can only say good things about him.”

Mr. Gary was very active at Holy Cross and later, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, where he became a member after his second marriage.

“He was so involved in the church,” Mr. Panos remembered. “He was really dedicated.”

Ms. Gary remembers how fondly her father-inlaw loved annual food festivals, especially preparing his lemon chicken with oregano. He frequently volunteered to chair committees and spent much of his time supporting the church.

“Church was his life,” she said.

Mr. Gary was also an avid local sports fan, and had season tickets to the Pirates and Steelers.

“He would go to every game,” she recalled. “He loved Pittsburgh.”

A native of Cleveland, Ms. Gary said her father-inlaw often kidded with her about her hometown.

“He would always make fun of me for liking the Browns,” she said, laughing at the memory. “He would say,’ “I feel sorry for you.”’

Mr. Gary especially cherished his role as grandfather to Alexia Mahr and Dimitri A. Gary.

“He came to every single event, and I’m not exaggerating,” Ms. Gary said. “Be it a concert or baseball game or Grandparents Day, he was in the first row, the first one there. He did not miss anything.”

It’s his warmth and kindness that Ms. Gary will miss most about her father-inlaw, she said.

“His eyes smiled when he would see you,” she said. “We lost one of the good ones.”

Along with his wife and son, he is survived by daughter Sophia Gary, of Babylon, N.Y.

Funeral services were held last week.

Donations in Mr. Gary’s memory may be made to St. Nicholas Cathedral Building Fund, 419 S. Dithridge St., Pittsburgh 15213. Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com.