Gary Wayne Puryear

Gary Wayne Puryear died peacefully on June 8, 2023 in hospice care at Emerson Hospital. He was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 5, 1944. He spent much of his childhood on the shores of Lake Michigan and on the farm with his grandparents near Manistee, Michigan. Gary graduated from Michigan State University in 1966 with a BA in Landscape Architecture, lit up the MSU field playing drums in the marching band, and met the love of his life Marcia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and was then stationed in Germany. Marcia joined him there until the two returned home and were married in 1970. After earning his Master’s Degree as well, Gary became an accomplished landscape architect and contributed to projects around New England, including the Franklin Park Zoo. Throughout much of his career he was a civilian with the Army Corps of Engineers and traveled New England strengthening environmental safety on army bases and training soldiers, until he retired in 2004 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He and Marcia raised their family in Concord, MA, and loved to take family trips, skiing out west or traveling internationally. Gary always connected with the sights and smells of the coast, spending summers in Rockport in the post and beam seaside house that he built, and over the last 15 years relaxing in the quiet beauty of Grey Gables in Bourne, MA. From participating in Revolutionary War reenactments with the Concord Minutemen (and serving as Captain), to being a Boy Scout troop leader, to placing flags at the National Cemetery, he was an active member of his community who loved time well spent in everyday celebration with family and friends. He adored his grandchildren and loved to teach them skills in the kitchen while making good food. Gary loved a good story and a good laugh, drew joy from listening to Jimmy Buffet and cooking up lobster for family, and livened up each space he entered.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia Puryear; daughter, Kristen Puryear (Sean Donohue); son, Corey Puryear (Wendy); grandchildren, Maeve, Ellia, Morgan, and Carson; sister, Penelope VanDam (David); brother, Jeffrey Puryear (Myriam Waiser); and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation was held at Concord Funeral Home (74 Belknap St., Concord) on Friday, June 16 from 2-5 p.m. A wake has also been organized by Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home (40 MacArthur Blvd., Bourne) on Sunday, June 18 from 2-3 p.m. with a service from 3-4 p.m., to be followed by a reception at the Puryear’s house in Bourne. Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, June 19 at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Ma.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Gary’s name to the Bourne VFW at 180 Shore Rd., Bourne, MA 02532. For directions and online condolences please visit www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com.