Gary H. Preen

Gary H. Preen, age 90 of Perry, passed away on Monday March 30, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving and caring family.

He was born on July 15,1935 in Warsaw, New York a son to the late Sidney T. and Arlene L. (Hill) Preen.

Gary attended Perry Central School. He worked for the former Champion Product in Perry in the maintenance department for 47 years retiring in 1997.

Gary was a member of the First United Methodist church in Perry, Perry Vets Club where he made his daily stop to socialize with friends, Geneseo War Plane Museum where he helped restore the B-17, former member of the Silver Lake Sportsman's Club and the former Micro Midget Association where he and his father raced Micro Midget cars.

Gary enjoyed camping, fishing, especially the fishing trips with his father and uncles to Canada, woodworking, boating, bowling, building model trains, going to the Charcoal Corral, chocolate milkshakes, decorating his house for each holiday, handing out candy at Halloween, sitting on his porch greeting neighbors, (He was known as the Mayor of Chestnut St.) watching NASCAR race or working in his vegetable garden. His biggest joy was his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Carol F. (Brockel) Preen whom he married on December 6, 1958, daughters: Denise (Nick) Macaluso of Pavilion, Sandy (Ed) Papke of Dale, sister: Linda Cipolla of Horseheads formerly of Plant City, Fl., 10 grandchildren: Monica (Harvey) Jett, Olivia (Jared) Cherkis, Alyssa (Deric) Cicero, Patrick Carney Jr., Kristopher (Stephanie Krebs) Haas, Cherie (Cody Dunning) Haas, Jeremy Preen, Kristy (Michael) LaPorte, Matthew and Nathaniel Preen, 3 step grandchildren: Jill (Scott) Holmes, Holly (Nick) Fuest, Lisa (Tim) Summers, 24 great grandchildren, 7 step great grandchildren, 2nd cousins whom Gary was very close to: Chris (Annie) Adams, Greg (Lori) Adams, Michelle Vandervoort, Colleen (Ed) Ricco, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins and friends, many of those close friends from the Perry Vets Club.

Along with his parents, Gary is preceded in death by his son: Thomas R. Preen who passed away in 2009, brother-in-law: Michael Cipolla, In-laws: Robert (Florence) Brockel, grandparents: Herman (Grace) Hill and Thomas (Rena) Preen.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday April 25th at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church 35 Covington St. in Perry, followed by a luncheon at the church and a gathering at the Perry Vet's Club for a "short one".

Gary will be laid to rest in Glenwood Cemetery in Perry

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Home-Care and Hospice, and to the Perry Vets Club (Directed to family events)

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Home-Care and Hospice for their care. Especially to Rachel, Jeannie, Becky, Autumn and Bridget.