Obituary of Gary E. Notte

Gary Edward Notte Simply beloved by everyone… A great man went home to be with his Lord today, a man that loved everyone and was loved by everyone. We are so very sad to announce the passing of Gary Edward Notte of Middlesex on September 3, 2011. There is no space big enough to even begin to capture the effect Gary's life had on the lives of all those who knew him. If anyone needed help in any way, Gary was there. And it never mattered how he was feeling or any other circumstance, if you needed him - he was there. For the past three years, Gary fought cancer. And it was a fight he fought bravely, with great courage and even greater faith. But he didn't fight it alone. From the first diagnosis, Gary turned to his faith, and to his family and friends, for support. And they never let him down. They upheld him through the most difficult of times and gave him the will to keep on fighting, which he did. And lots of fun along the way to keep him part of things, which he truly appreciated and never hesitated to participate in. Gary's battle with cancer was never kept a secret and as soon as anyone heard of his diagnosis, they began to pray. And we all began to experience prayer and faith in new ways. People began to ask their friends to pray and soon, so many people were praying for Gary, and right out loud, right across this country to the seat of the Pope himself. And Gary saw more and more people were coming to faith, their own faith, and that brought him such joy because that was what he always wanted, and still wants, for people to come to faith. A faith that will accompany them through their entire lives and continue right on to heaven, where we know he is eagerly enjoying his new and healed body! Gary was all about LIFE! From being blessed to attend sporting events through the generosity of clients and vendors, who were really his friends, to seeing his beloved New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup. Enjoying the US Open Tennis matches and the US Open Golf events were also very high on his list of great times. Having his birthday lit up on the scoreboard at a Devils hockey game brought a big smile to his face! So many funny stories and so many touching moments made up the life of this dear and loving and loved man, it is impossible to imagine not being able to talk and spend time with him when you just needed a "Gary moment." Gary appreciated each and every effort showed to him by everyone who worked so hard to make his journey any bit easier. And you truly did! Gary was a man of strong faith. He believed in doing the best he could for others each and every time he could. He had a truly gentle spirit and was always ready with a hug or a word that would give comfort whenever it was needed. Gary didn't have to explain his faith, the way he lived his life did it for him. But make no mistake, he certainly could explain it and did in ways that everyone could understand. What is giving us comfort during this tremendously sad time is the reunion Gary is having with his mother and father, his beloved dog Joshua, and his mother, father and brother-in-law. We will remember this kind and loving man in his healthy years, where we were all taught by his loving hand to show love and compassion to everyone we meet, both in word and deed; and, in the years of his painful journey where he taught us to not waste time questioning what we would never really be able to know or understand, but to fight and fight hard! To run the race we were on with courage and dignity and grace, and a lot of fun along the way. What better life story could a person have or want? Gary was born on February 9, 1951, and was raised in Newark, NJ. He worked for AT&T for 42 years as a Director, Connectivity & Metro Networks Product Mgmt. Gary was the beloved husband of, Eileen Bonini Notte. He was the son of the late Edward and Ann Notte. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved son, Jason Notte and his fiance Laura Flint, his beloved daughter JoEllen Notte Hansen and her husband Taylor, and his beloved four legged daughters, Zoe and Bridgette. Also cherishing his memory are his beloved sister, Doreen Notte Muschio, his nieces, Kristin and Tiffany Muschio, his brother-in-law Charles Muschio, his nephews Michael and Jordan Armstrong, his brother in law, Thomas Bonini and his wife Sheryl, and so many, many dear and loved friends. Friends may visit with the family on Monday, September 5, 2011 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Community Presbyterian Church, 57 Sand Hills Road, Kendall Park, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at 10:00 AM at the church. Arrangements are being handled from McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, South Plainfield. For those who would like to remember Gary, please bring a card to the wake with your personal note of remembrance as Gary always loved receiving cards! Donations may also be made to CPAMC~Options at Roosevelt Park, Oak Drive, Edison NJ 08837 with a note stating that this is in memory of Gary Notte and that the donation is designated for Options. Thank you. As his wife, I know that Gary has been welcomed into his new home by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And I know he heard the words we all want to hear "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Well done indeed Gar!