Gary Brian Stumpf, 67, of Pittsfield passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2022 after a long battle with liver disease. Gary was born in Wilmington, Delaware on July 28, 1954 to Theodore, Sr. and Elizabeth, (nee McGrory) Stumpf, lovingly known to their friends as “Ted and Betty,” of Pennsville, New Jersey.
Growing up on the Delaware River, Gary established a love for boating and knew the river well. He further utilized his love of open water to become a merchant mariner where he enjoyed sailing the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Gary then traded the ocean for the mountains when he developed a passion for skiing and moved to Vermont in 1975. There he met and married the love of his life Janice (nee Townsend). They made their home in Stockbridge and raised four children. Later in life, the two combined their love of water and mountains and kept a sailboat on Lake Champlain where they spent many weekends with family and friends.
Throughout his life, Gary held many jobs including auto body mechanic, ski instructor and racing coach, bartender, ski tuner and technician, and eventually worked in many aspects of waste management. In 1987 he designed and patented the Winning Edge File Guide, a tool used to sharpen skis and snowboards that he sold all over the world including to several World Cup ski technicians. When not working he enjoyed playing touch football and rugby in Rutland.
Gary is predeceased by his parents. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife, Janice, his brother Ted, Jr. (Tina) of West Virginia, sons Jason (Heather) of Virginia, Derek (Ethel) of Maryland, Brian (Cara) of Montana, and daughter Heidi, of Vermont. His grandchildren Townsend, Hunter, Arthur, and Lucy Mae already miss their Pop Daddy. He has many loving cousins along with his aunt Jean who will miss him as well.
A celebration of life is scheduled at the Clear River Tavern on Thursday, May 5 at 5 p.m.
If you wish to make a donation in his name, Gary was a long-time supporter of the U.S. Ski Team.
