Gary Emil Notti

December 2, 1944 - January 27, 2021

Gary Notti, of San Rafael, “moved on” peacefully at home in the loving arms of his beloved and devoted wife Jani, his daughter Danielle, son Nick, as well as all four of his grandchildren. Gary was shaped by his upbringing in Great Falls, MT in an Italian/Irish household. He graduated from Montana State University cum laude, was a top military student during his time with the Army ROTC Batallion,and received a fellowship to teach accounting while earning his MBA at the University of Montana. Teaching accounting did not end in Missoula as he also taught at the University of Indiana, Purdue University and the College of Marin. Gary worked for the IRS which proved to be invaluable during his eventual career as a CPA.

After receiving his MBA, Gary became a 1st Lieutenant in the Army. He loved sports and played on the Army baseball and basketball teams during which time they were ranked 5th in the nation. After the Army, and 3 years with the accounting firm Peat Marwick, he took a leave of absence in 1974 to backpack around the world with his first wife Lou. Gary said he learned more during his year of travel than he did in college. Inspired by connections made during his travels, Gary opened an African import business when he returned home and had galleries in San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Gary eventually returned to accounting and founded Notti & Company a well-respected public accounting firm that his son Nick now owns and operates, successfully carrying on the family business. Gary left his mark on the profession by incorporating fun, humor, and the occasional prop so his clients actually looked forward to discussing their taxes.

Gary had a natural ability and interest in connecting with people, which led to leadership positions throughout his life. He was the class officer his Freshman, Junior and Senior year in college. He served on the boards of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce as treasurer, the San Rafael Rotary, Rotary Manor as president, which has named a scholarship in his honor, the Marin Heart Foundation, and the Marvelous Marin Breakfast Club. He was also a member of Marin Forum, and the Guardsmen of San Francisco. His love of sports led him to serving as president of the San Rafael

High Boosters, and coaching CYO basketball for 6 years. Gary enjoyed years of running, mountain biking, rugby, tennis and golf. He especially loved the camaraderie and competition of golf and enjoyed an abundant amount of this after joining the Marin Country Club. Some of his best years of golf happened after joining MCC where he won the club net championship in 2014 while enduring treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Family, friends and business were the priority, and in that order. Gary lived his life full of adventure, bravery, mischief, humor, optimism, and love. These attributes were always on display, and especially through a heroic ten and a half year battle with pancreatic cancer. He beat the odds at every turn because he was determined to experience and enjoy as many moments as possible with his loved ones. He had strong connections with so many people near and far and never wasted the opportunity to express his love. He was truly larger than life and will be intensely missed by those who were lucky to be part of his life.

Gary is survived by his wife Jani, his daughter, Danielle Nelson (Paul), his son Nick Notti (Elizabeth), his sister, Antoinette Halter, his grandchildren, Luca, Thatcher, Eleanor and Xander, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life to be determined at a later date when Covid restrictions are lifted.

Memorials to Hospice by the Bay, UCSF Pancreas Center and San Rafael Rotary Manor.