Gary T. Dye – 54 – of 1452 Sharps Hill Rd., Hornell, (Town of Fremont) died Tuesday afternoon (April 27, 2021) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, following a long illness.

Born in North Hornell on February 8, 1967, he was the son of the former Betsey Kilbury and Forrest Dye.

Gary grew up in Fremont and was a graduate of Arkport Central School (class of 1985).  From a young age, he was introduced to the workings of his family business, Frost Lee Dairy Farm.  While in high school, Gary developed a strong work ethic while working on the family farm and continued for many years following high school graduation.

Following the sale of Frost Lee Dairy Farm, Gary began working for the Town of Fremont, first as an equipment operator and later serving as Supervisor of the Road Crew.  He was later employed as a cement truck operator in Mt. Morris and an equipment operator for Briggs Dairy Farm and Hendee Homestead, both of Fremont.

Throughout the years he developed a deep love for the Town of Fremont where he served as a life-member of the Fremont Fire Department and many years as Chief.  For over 20 years, Gary served on the Fremont Board of Appeals and was also a member of the Fremont Cemetery Association.

Gary was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  He loved getting together with his family and friends during “deer season”, simply enjoying each other’s company and being in the “great outdoors.”  He will be remembered as a “peacekeeper” who could always see both sides of any debate or argument.  He simply wanted everyone to “get along” and put their differences behind them.

A self-proclaimed “Jack of All Trades”, Gary could fix just about anything.  He enjoyed spending countless hours in his workshop (which held tools too numerous to count), simply tinkering and working on various projects.  He also loved helping his family and friends with anything that they needed.  He will be sadly missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him!!

Gary was preceded in death by his son, John E. Dye who died May 2, 2011; his step-father, Floyd Farley; his mother-in-law, Patricia Hale; his father-in-law, Roland Hale; his brother-in-law, Khalid Ashraf.

He was married on December 9, 1988 to the former Ann Hale who survives.  Also surviving are his daughter, Danielle “Dani” (Lance) Rawlings of Pompano Beach, FL; his mother, Betsey Farley of Hornell; his father Forrest (Mary) Dye of Lee, FL; 1 brother, Barry (Mary) Dye of Hornell; his step-sister, Kelly (Dean) Wightman of Prattsburg, NY; his in-laws, Mary (Dale) Pena of Hilton Head, SC and Lisa (Brooks) Crankshaw of Wilmette, IL; 2 nieces, Courtney (Robert Myers) Ashraf and Aline Crankshaw; 1 nephew, Patrick (Tricia) Wightman.

At Gary’s request there will be no calling hours.  A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday  (May 8, 2021) at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with final interment of Gary, along with his son, John, in the Fremont Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

The Memorial Service for Gary T. Dye will be streamed via YouTube and can be viewed on the Dagon Funeral Home Facebook page on Monday, May 8, 2021 at 11:00 AM by visiting www. facebook.com/dagonfuneralhome   The video will remain available for viewing on our Facebook page for 30 days. 

Gary’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to either the Fremont Fire Department or the Fremont Cemetery Association.