Gary O. Rathbun, 92, of Friendship, NY, passed away on March 31, 2024 after a brief illness. Born on May 16, 1931 in the small hamlet of South Bay, New York, he was the third son of the late Clarence H. Rathbun and Lucinda B. Maranville Rathbun.

In 1945, he came to the Olean area to visit a friend who he served in the Army with.  There he met Beverly M. Eaton of Olean whom he married on March 30, 1955, and who predeceased him on March 16, 2023.

Gary graduated from Fort Ann Central School in 1948 and never lost his love for the Adirondack State Park and the beautiful mountains and lakes that exist there.  In 1951, he was invited by Uncle Sam to join the Army, where he spent 33 months in the Military Police. From March 1955 to October 1979, he was employed in Engineering and Sales at Acme Electric, Cuba, NY. From 1979 to 1986 he was co-owner of B-B Electric and Systems in Bradford, PA. After retiring he worked part-time for Norton Electric in Eldred, PA.

Gary and Beverly were members of the Friendship Methodist United Church since 1960. Gary served on the Friendship Village and Town Boards for six years, was Town Justice for seven years and served on the Friendship School Board for five years. He was a member of the Cuba-Friendship Lodge #306 F&AM, and during that time, he was a Past District Deputy from 1990 – 1991, and served on several Grand Lodge Committees. He was also a member of the Corning and Rochester Consistory, Damascus Shrine, Court 3 Royal Order of Jesters, Allegany County Shrine Club, New Smyrna Beach, FL Shrine Club, New York State Magistrates Association, the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 and the Friendship Rotary.

After retiring, Gary and Bev traveled extensively in the USA and Canada, and for several years spent the winters in New Smyrna Beach Florida. His hobbies were woodworking, hunting and traveling. He loved to travel around the county in his Shay replica of a 1929 Model A Roadster.

Surviving are: two sons Richard (Kristine) Rathbun of Friendship, NY; Bradley (Barbara) Rathbun of Burlington, KY; and a daughter Suzanne (Randy Gratton) of Gates; four grandchildren, James (Jessica) Rafferty, Megan (Brett) Miner, John (Aimee) Rathbun and Richard Rathbun; great-grandchildren Emmerysn, John, Cecilia, Landon, Reed, Rhys, and Jackson.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a great-grandson Ian Miner, sisters Greta Harris, and Patricia Ungleich, brothers Rodney C. Rathbun and Douglas R. Rathbun; sister-in-law Alyce Rathbun and brother-in-laws Erwin Harris, Richard Eaton and Donald Ungleich.

Friends may gather at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street, Cuba, on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 2-4 P.M. at which time Funeral Services ill be held.  The Rev. Rebecca Worth, will officiate.

Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Friendship, New York. 

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Shriners Hospital, or the Hart House of Allegany County.