Obituary of Gary P. Priest

Gary Paul Priest, 73, a resident of Smithville, NY passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 24, 2022. Born November 4, 1948 in Cambridge, NY he was the son of the late Julian and Theresa Periard Priest. Gary graduated from Schuylerville High School where he earned the nickname “Flash” for his speed, breaking several school track records. He also attended Forestry classes at HVCC before serving in the US Army Americale Division during Vietnam. He received the Soldiers Medal for Heroism in 1969. He married the love of his life, Tracie Fremont on October 24, 1976. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Gary Loved life! He loved his wife Tracie of 45 years. He loved his children Aimee, Josh, and daughter-in-law Kate beyond words. He welcomed his granddaughter Scarlett Rose with awe. He loved his family and friends. He loved his ‘brothers in arms’, and I think they knew it. Everyone who knew Gary knew they were loved. Most of his career was spent as a Machinist at General Foods, and he retired from Irving Tissue. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed hunting with is son Josh and friends at Camp Pop-A-Top. He also enjoyed fishing, golf, horseshoes, bowling, camping, photography and bird watching. Gary was the life of the party, always making a good time even better with a personality to make everyone laugh. He genuinely enjoyed himself and lived in the moment. It was his big heart that just couldn’t give anymore. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his identical twin brother, Cary Priest and brother Terry Priest. Survivors include his wife Tracie Priest of Smithville; daughter Aimee Priest of Smithville; son Josh (Kate) Priest of Greenwich; brother Barry (Patti) Priest of Schuylerville; sister Merry Priest of Schuylerville; and his new granddaughter, Scarlett Rose Priest. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10am Monday, January 31, 2022 at Notre Dame-Visitation Church in Schuylerville with Rev. Martin Fisher, officiating. Burial will follow at 11:30am in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. Family and friends may call on Sunday from 2-4pm at Flynn Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 13 Gates Ave., Schuylerville. Memorials can be made in his memory by toasting him with a beer. The family gives a heartfelt thank you to all his friends, including the nurses, aides, and care staff at St. Peters Hospital – Cardiac Care Center in Albany, NY.