Gary G. Pluff

Gary G. Pluff, age 59, went home to be with the Lord on August 13, 2024.

Gary will be deeply missed by his wife Sharon along with his sons Tyler (Jacqueline) and Austin (Carolyn) in addition to many other cherished family and friends.

Gary was a man that never stopped doing projects, sometimes starting more projects before finishing the first one. From building custom soccer goals, building stairs going down to the water (twice), laying sod, constructing dock pieces, and even wooden snowmen, there was nothing Gary could not accomplish.

Along with every project came the project supervisor/extender, Gary’s black lab, Lilo. She was always waiting for him to throw the ball, sometimes more patiently than others. Despite projects taking extra hours, there was never a complaint.

When he was not working on one of his many projects, Gary enjoyed making memories at the family cottage in Door County. He enjoyed sitting by the water, lounging on the floaties, playing sudoku with his playlist on repeat, playing cribbage, and taking family out on the Waverunner. 

Saturday and Sunday mornings everyone would awake to the smell of bacon, omelets, waffles or if you were lucky, Gary’s special Egg McMuffins. You knew it was going to be a great day at the cottage when you heard “Would you like an Egg McMuffin?”. The dogs were also able to enjoy Gary’s cooking with scrambled eggs most mornings. Gary also enjoyed cooking over the fire in the dutch oven making foods such as mountain man, red hot peach cobbler, and Pepsi chicken. 

As an avid couponer, Target clearance hunter, and Menards purchasing specialist, you never knew what he was going to come home with after work. Gary always thought ahead about what was needed, and if it was on sale and you might need it sometime in the next three years, it was going in the cart.

He will be remembered as one who was always there for others. A scout leader, Little League coach, soccer coach, as well as a regular volunteer for anything his wife signed him up for; Gary was a mentor, guide, and friend to many in the community.

 A self-proclaimed excellent bowler, Gary took up coaching Tyler’s bar league bowling team, aptly named The Gary Bears. Although The Gary Bears floundered at the bottom of the standings, Gary would drive two and half hours, every other week, just to sit on the bench and cheer the team on.

Above all else, Gary’s greatest joy was being there for his family. A loving husband to his wife of 34 years, it was always a yes dear, sometimes more sarcastically than others. Gary and Sharon met on August 13, 1983. After exactly 41 years together, it became routine for each of them to know what each other wanted without the need to say anything. Gary knew what Sharon needed and got right to work doing what was required, because after 41 years, he knew that Sharon was always right.

Always there for his sons, he was quick to lend a helping hand after watching each struggle for a second or two. No matter the task, time, or place, you could always count on Gary to be there.

Regardless of the challenge, he never complained. Throughout any struggle, his faith remained strong.

Gary was preceded in passing by his father, Harry, mother, Jo-Ann and brother, Glenn.

The Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Gary’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in North Lake, WI. The family will greet relatives and friends directly at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.