Gary Raymond Niles

Gary Raymond Niles, 61, a resident of Shaftsbury, Vermont, passed away unexpectedly June 13, 2015 at Albany Medical Center. Gary was born in North Adams, MA on December 24, 1953 the son of Raymond and Mary (Wilcox) Niles. Gary was educated in both Pownal and Bennington schools, graduating from Mt. Anthony Union High School and earning his Bachelor Degree from the University of Vermont. Gary taught Physical Education in Australia for three years and for several schools in New Hampshire. After teaching, Gary worked for Morrissey Construction and Southern Vermont College. He owned and operated Zachary's Country Store in White Creek from 1995 to 2009. At the time of his death Gary was employed by Hannaford's Super Market . Gary loved sports especially baseball. He was instrumental in the start up of the Pownal Little League and coached there for a number of years. Gary played for both American Legion Post 13 and the Bennington Generals and was a Chicago Cubs baseball fan. He also was a diehard NY Football Giants fan, and enjoyed fishing, kayaking and spending time at Lake St. Catherine. Gary loved animals and had a passion for taking in strays. He cherished time spent with his family and friends. Gary is survived by his wife, the former Debora Pedercini of Shaftsbury whom he married June 26, 1982 in Pownal, his mother Mary Niles of Shaftsbury, sisters Diane Niles and Terri Pettibone and her husband Sam all of Shaftsbury, father-in-law Roger Pedercini and companion Hilda Fitzpatrick of Williamstown, MA, mother-in-law Carol Sebastino of Pownal, brothers in law Craig Pedercini (Karen) of Williamstown, Keith Pedercini (Jeanne) of Pownal, sister-in-law Lisa Wilcox of Williamstown and former brother-in-law Robert Wilcox of Wells. Nieces and nephews Whitney and Cody Pettibone, Jonathan Wilcox, Caleb and Nicole Pedercini. Funeral services for Gary will be held Friday June 19, 2015 at 1pm at Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main Street Bennington, Vermont. Interment will be private. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be held Thursday June 18, 2015 from 5-8pm when the family will be in attendance. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Gary's memory may be made to the Chestnut Stickney Fund of West Mountain Animal Hospital or Infinity Foster Program, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, Vermont 05201. Funeral services for Gary will be held Friday June 19, 2015 at 1pm at Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main Street Bennington, Vermont. Interment will be private. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be held Thursday June 18, 2015 from 5-8pm