Gary L. Van Veghten

Gary Lewis Van Veghten, 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 24, 2023 at the Alpine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Little Falls, NY.

 

He was born October 7, 1936, the son of Emmett and Editha (Greene) Van Veghten in Rochester, NY. On April 7, 1960, he married his best friend and love of his life, Sally Hoffman. She predeceased him in May of 1984. 

 

Gary is survived by his daughters, Bonnie Abbott, her children Mackenzie and Alexander and Gary's great-granddaughter, Lilah; Jamie Cook and Ginny Van Veghten (Greg Stewart); and a son, Justin Grauer, wife Cathy and son Jesse. Also surviving are his sister Kaye Lynch, husband Ken and her children, Gary's many nieces and nephews.  Besides Sally, her parents Morris and Frances Hoffman and his parents, Gary was predeceased by his oldest daughter, Judith (Grauer) Monje', her husband, Lance and another son-in-law David Cook.

 

Gary always knew what he wanted to do with his life, be a radio disc jockey. He attended Syracuse University and honed his craft at the university's radio station, WAER.  While there, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma and Sigma Tau Rho fraternities. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1958, he went to work to make his dream a reality. 

 

Over the course of his career, "Gary Van" worked at stations in many different places including Honolulu, Hawaii; WABY (Albany NY), WACK (Newark, NY), WNDR/WNTQ (Syracuse NY), WGVA (Geneva NY), and WLFH in Little Falls. He also worked for WBGK/WBUG in Utica/Amsterdam after he "retired" from the business. He wore many hats during his career, acting as not only a d.j, but advancing to program director, production manager, as well as sales manager, news manager and station manager. He even dabbled in radio engineering occasionally. At one time Gary was an adjunct professor at Herkimer County Community College (Herkimer College) in the Radio and Television Department, where he was able to pass along his wisdom and knowledge to new generations. Later another of his dreams came true when he became the owner of WOWB FM, "WOW 105".

 

Gary was a past member of the Little Falls Civic Club, the Little Falls Business Association, and the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, to name a few.  He was instrumental in establishing Little Falls Radio, a local low power radio station. He spent more than 30 years working as the Canal Celebration Committee Publicity Chair. 

 

Gary was honored with a Good Citizenship Award by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post 4612 in 1988. In 2019, the Marquis Who's Who recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement award.

 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of Daniel J. Enea at Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 7507 State Route 5, Little Falls, NY, 315-508-5131. Calling hours are Monday, January 15th from 12-2 PM at the funeral home. A memorial service will immediately follow at 2 pm.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.