Gary L. Sprague

Exeter – Gary L. Sprague, 76, died Monday, March 21, 2016 at Langdon Place in Exeter. Gary was born June 10, 1939 in Corning, NY, the son of the late Glenn and Charlotte (Brooks) Sprague. He graduated from Hornell High School, Hornell, NY in 1957 and received his bachelor and master degrees from Fredonia State College in Fredonia, NY. Gary and his wife Patricia “Patty” Sprague were married August 11, 1962 and shared 53 years of marriage. Mr. Sprague resided in Collins, NY for 51 years before moving to Exeter in 2012 to be closer to family. Mr. Sprague was an instrumental and choral director as well as music department head for the Gowanda Central School System in Gowanda, NY from 1961 until his retirement in 1996. He was a frequent guest conductor at the county level, as well as an adjudicator at solo festivals for decades. Gary also brought his family to Bristol Hills Music Camp for two weeks every summer from 1975 through 1991, where he directed the senior high concert band and helped coordinate the camp. He was a member of the Gowanda Presbyterian Church where he was the choir director for 28 years. Gary was also a Brother Mason at Phoenix Lodge #262 in Gowanda. Gary and his wife, Patty, enjoyed many years of raising English Springer Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels. They enjoyed traveling to many dog shows around the country. Gary also loved showing his dogs and became a judge himself. He was an avid, very skilled golfer and was a member of the Gowanda Country Club for many years. Additionally, a favorite pastime for him in retirement was keeping up with the latest in technology, i.e. his computer and smart phone. In addition to his wife, he leaves three children, Lindsey Mantell and her husband Michael of Exeter, Amy Patmore and her husband Barry of Spencerport, NY, Scott Sprague and his wife Nicole of Brentwood, six grandchildren, Megan, Brendan, Brett, Brian, Zachary, and Makayla, his sister, Suzanne Sweeney, and her husband Ron of Plymouth, MA, many nieces and nephews, and many dear colleagues and friends. Services will be held on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at Langdon Place of Exeter, 17 Hampton Road, Exeter. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, 64 E. Main Street, Gowanda, NY 14070. Assistance with the arrangements was provided by the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton.

Gary L. Sprague

June 10, 1939 - March 21, 2016