Gary L. Wagner, 67, of Camp Hill, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 5, 2025. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and deeply cherished grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Melody (Dahr) Wagner, son, Marc (Meghan) Wagner, daughter, Sara (Andrew) Rusniak, grandchildren, Amelia and Sadie Rusniak, Madeline and John Wagner, and granddogs, Annie and Stella Rusniak and Mr. P Wagner.
Gary was a graduate of Northern High School Class of 1975 and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Wilson College. He retired from Giant Food Stores after over 30 years of service. Gary was a master baker. He baked and decorated all the family birthday and wedding cakes. He and his wife led a family tradition of over 30 years of baking and constructing gingerbread houses every Christmas that his children, and later grandchildren, decorated. He enjoyed spending time gardening at his home, especially around his pool. He loved to travel and his main focus was spending time with his family. After receiving his lung cancer diagnosis, Gary became an advocate for lung cancer survivors and enjoyed educating others about lung cancer.
Services will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church Camp Hill, 2000 Chestnut St, Camp Hill, PA 17011. A visitation over coffee and pastries will be held from 10am-11am, followed by a service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations designated for Cancer Research to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital – Attn: Kristen Pruski, CFRE, Vice President, Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation, 5255 Loughboro Road NW, Washington, DC 20016, or to the flower fund at Trinity Lutheran Church Camp Hill, 2000 Chestnut St, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
He will be deeply missed and always remembered.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wagner family.
16 comments on “Gary L. Wagner”
My deepest sympathies to the entire family. I worked with Gary through the pandemic. He was always cheerful, positive, smart and such a delight to speak with. He always talked about his family and traveling with Mel. I had just said a prayer for him this weekend. RIP friend.
Gary decades ago was a young bakery manager at our local Giant supermarket on Linglestown Road. Rabbi David L. Silver had set up the kosher bakery with the Javitch and Lipsett family that owned the local Giant supermarkets. Gary had been a conscientious supporter of the kosher bakery while he rose through the corporate ranks at Giant. It was always a pleasure meeting with Gary to discuss the kosher bakery and certainly much appreciated. May his memory be for a blessing.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Gary Wagner’s passing. I worked with Gary during my time at Giant Food Stores.
Gary’s talent, demeanor, smile, modesty and overall professionalism set the bar high.
I have no doubt that those who had the good fortune to know Gary have fond memories of him, which will hopefully help during this difficult time. My deepest condolences.
I worked with Gary in 2019-2020 during the pandemic. Always loved talking to him, he and I related very well and had some terrific conversations.
So sorry to hear about his passing. He was a terrific man and most certainly will be missed.
This news deeply saddens me. I knew Gary before he worked at Giant. I was managing the original Store #10 in Camp Hill. He filled out an application to work at Giant. I hired him to be a full time baker. He was one of the very best hires I ever made. It was wonderful watching him grow his career.
Over the years, we “talked” occasionally on Facebook, until recently when he was in Hawaii. I enjoyed all of his photos especially of the active volcano he was very enamored with. The photos of it were amazing. We chatted quite often then. It was during this time he shared with me that he was fighting cancer. Obviously I was surprised. I was very proud that he was chosen to represent Pennsylvania (I think) at a national forum. His attitude was extremely positive. To hear that he passed today is a shock to me.
He will be missed by all us who knew and worked with him. I’m extending my prayers to his family and friends.
Gary was a great friend from high school. We hung out with a group for years. He made my wedding cake in Nov 1975. Probably it was one of his first ones. He kept saying I was a turkey for getting married so young. When I went to cut the cake, he had put a plastic turkey on the backside of the cake. All I could do was laugh!
Facebook was a great avenue to reunite once I moved to Cali then AZ. It was fun following him and seeing his family grow. I was so saddened when I heard of his diagonosis. In Gary fashion, he stayed positive and made steps for the lung cancer cause.
I am so blessed to have known him.
My ❤️ goes out to his family. I will be 🙏 for you all as you travel thru the grieving process.
🎂🍰💐💐
I am so very sorry for your loss. I will always cherish the friendship I shared with Gary during our high school years. It has been such a blessing to see pictures of your family on Facebook. It was obviously that he was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather. I will be praying for your family as you grieve.
I worked with Gary for many years at Giant. Gary was a go to person the one that would get it done! You could count on him for anything from decorating to merchandising or just a listening ear when you needed it. Rest in peace my sweet friend💕
I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I worked with Gary at the corporate office of Giant for many of his 30 years. He was a strong proponent and champion for the bakery departments. I enjoyed working with him and his calm and gentle personality. Gary was a big part of the “old” Giant family.
I pray for his family and hope they find peace every time they take a bite of a cake.
To the Wagner family, we are so sorry for your loss. Gary was a good husband, father and provider. We wish you peace and comfort! Lauren and Danny Chan
Mel, I’m so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed hearing about your trips, seeing your photos from your visits to see your grandchildren and always talking about what you and Gary were watching on TV. I’m praying for you through this difficult time. My very sincere condolences to you and your entire family. 💕
I loved meeting you and Gary on our trip to Colorado. I especially remember the ghost story in your room in Durango. I know your family and grandkids will support you in this difficult time. I speak from experience keep them close and keep busy.
Gingerbread house making will always remind me of Gary and the rest of the Wagners. He was an exceptional baker!
Mel I am sorry for your loss. I loved to hear about you and Gary trips you recently went on. I’m glad you two got to make some beautiful memories.
My condolences 💐
Mel, we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
The last time I hung out with Gary was when Mel had invited myself and other coworkers over to her house to decorate Easter eggs. Gary had made an amazing spread of appetizers and sat with us to chat. We had him take pictures with my phone that were a little crooked. He was a very nice man and great family man.