Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Gary Allen Spayd, 85, residing in Sandusky, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 4, 2017 at Stein Hospice Care Center after a brief illness.
Gary was born on July 15, 1931 in Sandusky, OH to the late William and Ada (Strecker) Spayd.
Gary was a 1949 graduate from Sandusky High School. He served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 in the medical corps at Fort Polk, LA. Gary was a life time member of St. Stephen United Church of Christ. He was also a member of the Sandusky Elks Lodge 285, Sandusky Yacht Club and the Amvets. He had also formerly been on the board of managers at Pinewood Condominiums and also been involved with the Harlequin's Community Theater, Senior Men's Fellowship, Senior Men's Golf League and Couples Golf League.
Gary was the leader of the poplar dance band, known as the Travelaires and later the Gary Spayd Combo for over 50 years; he played the trumpet. He had also been the director of the famous Kelleys Island Kazoo Band since 1987. Gary loved people and he always wanted his friends and family to have fun. He enjoyed boating and his Chris Craft named Royal Flush and loved to play golf.
Following in his father's footsteps, he started working at Esmond Dairy delivering ice cream from 1949 to 1967. He then fulfilled his dream when he opened, owned and operated The Ice Cream Parlor and Spayd's Sandwich Shoppe. He later retired from Smith Family Frosted Foods in Tiffin, OH in 1997.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn (Klutey) Spayd, whom he married on January 3, 1953. He is also survived by his daughters, Sandra (John Geretz) Kilko of Huron and Rev. Carol (Charles) Fleming of Sun City, FL; son, Scott Christian Spayd of Delray Beach, FL; grandchildren, Heather and Brooklyn Kilko; great-grandchildren, Bo Gary and Isabella and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
In addition to his parents, Gary is preceded in death by his brother, Richard Spayd .
Friends may call on Friday, July 7, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E Perkins Ave, Sandusky. Friends may also visit at St. Stephen United Church of Christ, 905 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 9:30 am until the time of funeral services at 10:30 am. Rev. Robert Bottoms will officiate. Entombment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Sandusky.
Those wishing to contribute to Gary's memory may do so to St. Stephen United Church of Christ, 905 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870 or to Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870.
Condolences may be shared on line at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.
