Gary Mark Mann
Gary was born on June 17, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Milwaukee and West Allis, Wisconsin, graduating from Nathan Hale High School and attended UW-Milwaukee. Gary loved to cook, a passion he developed from his mother. He traveled to France and enjoyed his backpacking experience as he immersed himself in French culture, bringing his experiences and knowledge back to Milwaukee. Gary was a chef for several restaurants that included Ground Round, and the notable restaurants of Jean Paul, Fathom Five, Harwood‘s, Claus and Fleur De Lis. Chef Gary was featured in several Milwaukee Journal articles highlighting his unique contributions to the local food industry, (August 31, 1988; March 15, 1989; and May 2, 1990).
Early in 2000, Gary moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, serving as a chef at the Rio’s steak restaurant. Subsequently thereafter, he traveled extensively in the Northwest region of the United States, making many trips to Alaska. In Alaska, he resided in Dutch Harbor and worked in the local fish processing industry. During his spare time, he enjoyed panning for gold in the area. In mid-life, Gary moved to Seattle, Washington where he worked in construction and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. During his extensive career in construction, he earned a number of certificates including hazardous waste operations and emergency response. He took a special interest in solar panels and incorporated them in his home, a testament to his concern for the environment and fascination with technology.
Gary loved nature and being outdoors. His home in Washington was adjacent to a forest preserve. After he retired, he purchased a home in the woods in Friendship, Wisconsin. He was in the process of rehabbing his retirement home when he passed away. As a young man, Gary had many interests and hobbies. He was an avid tennis player, loved photography taking memorable pictures of family and friends, enjoyed collecting various memorabilia, and reading. Recently, Gary got back to his love of food by enjoying container gardening, growing various vegetables to enjoy with his own food preparation.
Sports was always a love for Gary. He was a true-blue Milwaukee Brewers fan, going to games as a young boy and teen with his brothers, collecting memorabilia and taking pictures of his favorite players. He was also a loyal Green Bay Packers fan, following their games closely wherever he lived. In 1988, he was an extra in the movie “Major League” when it was filmed at old County Stadium in Milwaukee.
Gary was a loving, kind and compassionate person. Although a private person, he was devoted to his family and showed kindness to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by his surviving siblings, Robert Mann (Linda), Jack Mann (Cathy), Diane Hecker, nee Mann (Henry), David Mann, and his many nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Lorraine Alice Mann and Jack Leroy Mann.
His final resting place will be Evergreen Cemetery in Stone Lake, Wisconsin. There will be a private tribute to Gary’s life in the spring of 2023.