Obituary of Gary S. Sochia

SOUTH COLTON—On Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg, the angels came to relieve Gary Shuler Sochia of the burden of the cancer he has been fighting. Funeral services for Gary will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the Buck Funeral Home in Colton with Pastor Rob Schirmer presiding. Family and friends may call at the Buck Funeral Home in Colton on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until the time of the services. Burial will be held in the Stark Cemetery at a later date. Born in Lyons, NY on July 15, 1937, he is the son of the late Oscar H. and Alice C. Shuler Sochia. He went to school in Newark, New York, and later enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1957, serving two honorable years. After his military years he worked at various jobs which included the IBEW electrical workers and construction projects. In 1971 he moved to South Colton, going to work for ConRail. He retired from ConRail with the distinction of being the last Conrail employee to retire before being taken over by CSX. Over the years he has been a member of the Ormsby Pond Club and the Raquette Valley Fish and Game Club, fully enjoying the hunting and fishing opportunities being offered. His greatest passion has been introducing his children and grandchildren to the great outdoors of fishing, hunting, trapping and camping. He has also been a great advocate of Suicide Prevention for soldiers, both active duty and veterans. Gary is a life member of the AMVETS, the Marine Corps League and the VFW as well as being a member of the American Legion. In 1978 he and his family started raising fox, mink, ferrets and chinchillas. At its peak, the farm boasted over 300 animals. Gary and his wife belonged to the Central New York Fur Breeders and were the New York delegates to the National Board of Fur Ranchers. He received awards for the exceptional quality of the fur produces and how he prepared them for market. Gary is survived by his best friend and love of his life and wife of 57 years, Shirley, South Colton; his daughter, Michele Morris of Gresham, Oregon; his sons Gregory (Bertha) Sochia, Enid, Oklahoma; Jeffrey (Michelle) Sochia, Norfolk, NY; Christopher (Ginger) Sochia, Portland, Oregon; Phillip (Marlene) Sochia of North Carolina, Gary (Patti) Sochia of Heuvelton, NY and Nathaniel (Candace) Sochia of South Colton NY. Gary is also survived by and will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Michael Jaresh (active duty at Fort Campbell Kentucky), Levi Sochia, Maddison Sochia, Crystal Sochia, Jake Sochia, Trista Sochia, Danielle Sochia, Ryan Morris, Justin Morris, Wyatt Sochia, Thadeus Sochia and Alice Sochia as well as eleven great grandchildren and his brother Ronald (Sharon) Sochia, Newark, NY and his sisters June (Don) VanHall, Loveland, Colorado and Barbara DeLyser, Marion, NY and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents and beloved grandson, Grayson Ridge Sochia. Memorial donations in Gary's memory can be made to any cancer research organization of your choice or any veteran's organization and memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com . May he find peace as he holds our Grayson with the angels and teaches him how to fish. The Buck Funeral Home is serving the family of Gary S. Sochia.