Gary L. Basile

Gary Lynn Basile (83) of Rossiter passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on November 24, 2024. The son of Lee Onidus and Elizabeth Agnes (Wassil) Basile of Rossiter, Gary was born on December 10, 1940 and lived every day since to the fullest. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Gary served as an expert marksman and cook for the officer’s club while stationed in the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Ft. Hood, TX where he earned the rank of Private First Class. He was a member of the Rossiter American Legion.

On March 3, 1962, while on a short leave after basic training, Gary came home to marry his sweetheart Nancy Guidash. They welcomed their son Michael Lynn Basile in Ft. Hood, TX. Twelve years later they welcomed their daughter, Michele Lee Basile in Altoona, PA. Including the years they were together before marriage, Gary and Nancy spent 66 years building a beautiful life together filled with love, laughter, and faith. Over the past four years, as Gary declined in health, the two were inseparable, spending each waking moment together. 

Gary was a 1958 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School. He graduated from Vale Technical Institute with a degree in Automotive Technics and Management in 1959. Employed by the All-State Insurance Company for 34 years, Gary was best known for his many hobbies and talents. He was an accomplished farmer, master carpenter, builder, mechanic, gardener, canner, and cook. If he made up his mind to do something, he did it. If you wanted something done well, you wanted Gary to do it. He was a mentor and dear friend to many. A lifelong, avid Pittsburgh sports fan, Gary is immortalized with a brick at the home of his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Of all the titles he held in his life, the one he was proudest of was Grandpa. For the past 34 years he doted on his three grandchildren, Bradley, Alexandra, and Elizabeth.

He was a faithful Christian and follower of God. For 50 years he was a dedicated member of the former Steffy United Methodist Church. He served at the head of both the Church Board and the Board of Trustees, led the construction of the church’s addition from 2004-2005, and installed and oversaw the church’s technology system. 

Gary is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy Basile; son Michael and wife Anna Mary Basile of Fern Glen, PA; daughter Michele Basile-Long and Fred Larson of Punxsutawney; three grandchildren, Bradley Basile of Fern Glen, Alexandra and husband Brandon Bennett of Pittsburgh, and Elizabeth Long of Punxsutawney; brother Stephen and wife Rita Basile of Rossiter, and sister Susan Basile of Punxsutawney. He is preceded in death by parents Lee and Elizabeth Basile of Rossiter, and sister Donna and husband Frank Astorino of North Tonawanda, NY.

The family would like to personally thank Dr. Robin Girdhar, Dr. Kenneth Fugate, the Punxsutawney Area Hospital, Punxsutawney Home Healthcare, and 365 Hospice Care for their diligent care and expert attention to Gary. They would also like to thank all family members and friends, too numerous to mention, for their kindness and constant support.

Friends and family will be received at McCabe Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 27 from 1:00pm – 7:00pm and Friday, November 29 from 10:00am – 11:00am. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 29 at 11:00am followed by internment at Union Cemetery.