FALL RIVER… Gary J. Gifford, 67, of Fall River passed away June 1, 2023, at Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care in Providence.
He was the loving husband of Elaine G. (Cantara) Gifford to whom he had been married for the past 23 years.
Born in Fall River, he was a son of the late George F. Gifford, Lorraine E. (Alves) and Charlie Shoemaker.
Mr. Gifford worked for 17 years in shipping and receiving at Atlantic Lighting before retiring in 2020. He was a dedicated Elvis fan who spent many of his younger years touring with his band, Alien. As the years went by, he continued with his love of playing guitar and woodworking. Above all else, he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed telling jokes, magic tricks and horsing around with them, and he could always be found at their sporting and school events, especially with his beloved dog, Bear. Gary and Bear have been inseparable since they first met. They also enjoyed walks to Bear's favorite park.
Along with his wife, he is survived by his son, Brandon Audet of Fall River; his stepdaughters: Wendy Botelho and her husband Carlos of Somerset and Trisha Garcia and her husband Ryan of Swansea; his brothers: Stephen Shoemaker and his husband Mark of Palm Springs, CA and Walter Shoemaker of Mt. Pleasant, NC; his sister: Valerie Gillen of Fresno, CA; his sister-in-law, Linda Conley of Moncks Corner, SC; his grandchildren: Sara, CJ, Grant and Reid; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Alan Gifford and Carl Shoemaker and brother-in-law of the late Mike Gillen.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 9 AM from South Coast Funeral Home, 1555 Pleasant Street Fall River MA 02723 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at Santo Christo Parish, Columbia St. Fall River. Cremation will follow. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June, 6, 2023 from 6 - 8 PM.