Gary William Mislick, 83, of Sebastian FL, Old Lyme and Deep River, CT, passed away in Florida on June 12, 2025. He was born in Deep River, CT in 1942 to Walter and Phebe (Sheffield) Mislick.
Gary attended Valley Regional High School where he played basketball and was selected as his class president for several years before moving to Avon Old Farms School where he switched to the sport of baseball until his graduation. He attended Rollins College in Winter Park, FL where he met his loving wife Georgia “Jody” (Frutchey) Mislick. They married at the Knowles Memorial Chapel on the Rollins College Campus in 1963. They moved back to Deep River, CT where they built a great family life together.
From enjoying their time in their timeshare spent with friends pool-side in Aruba for 25 years, to camping in their comfortable fifth-wheel trailer on Loon Lake in New Hampshire, to eventually buying properties and building their dream home in Sebastian becoming “snowbirds”, their journey through life together was full of great adventures where they could enjoy the fruits of their labor. Their love through their time spent together was evident just 2 years ago when they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at a gathering attended by family and friends in Florida.
Gary was always a people person who, because of his outgoing personality, was known to make friends easily with anyone, anywhere at any time and ultimately this trait was passed on to his children.
He had many different talents and occupations throughout his lifetime. While in high school, he spent his summers working for Connecticut Valley Egg Company. In 1964, upon graduating college and moving back to CT, he returned to the same company where he served as Vice President.
He was not only responsible for preparing the orders and dispatching the trucks, but he personally would go down to the truck bay and roll up his sleeves to help make the process occur seamlessly. He advocated for the workers and would put himself in their shoes. This was part of why he was a beloved leader for those who worked for and with him. This all occurred simultaneously while he served as a Board Director for Deep River National Bank for many years.
Later, upon the sale of the Egg Company, he transitioned to the gravel industry, where he successfully expanded operations at Connecticut Valley Sand and Stone. He then opened a second business, Westbrook Gravel Products, Inc. which became his final business prior to retirement. He was known around town by his license plate that said, “DIRT MAN.”
Gary is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Phebe, along with his step-mother, Shirley (Sheffield) Mislick and his brother Jeffrey Mislick. He was also preceded in death by his beloved pets among which his black labrador, Koty, who truly stole his heart. He is survived by his wife Georgia, his sister Judith, his brother Randolph and wife Kelley. He was a loving father to his son, Gary Walter, son Curt and wife Jennifer Grannata , daughter Virginia “Ginny” (Mislick) King and husband Tim, and grandson Carson.
He was known for his great sense of humor which helped him through his frustrations while cheering for his favorite sports teams; New York Giants, Boston Red Sox or UCONN Mens and Womens Basketball where they could snatch defeat in the jaws of victory. Thankfully, all four programs became ultimate champions in their respective fields! Gary Mislick has been a memorable character who touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook, CT on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5-7pm. A funeral service will be held at the Deep River Congregational Church, 1 Church Street in Deep River, CT on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 1pm. Burial will follow in the Winthrop Cemetery, Route 80 in Winthrop, CT.
In lieu of flowers, Gary would have appreciated donations made to any of the following: Deep River Fire Dept., Old Lyme Ambulance Assoc. or Valley Shore Animal Welfare League. A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held in Sebastian, Florida at a time yet to be determined.
The Strunk Funeral Homes and Crematory of Vero Beach is in care of local arrangements. To share a memory of Gary or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com or strunkfuneralhome.com
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