Gary Ackler Hollister's Obituary
Gary Ackler Hollister, 90, of Cornelius, North Carolina, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, March 22, 2025, with his family by his side.
Born on September 29, 1934, in Frankfort, New York, Gary was the son of the late Newcomb Degene and Leta Francis (Ackler) Hollister.
As a boy, Gary loved camping and fishing on the St. Lawrence Seaway and playing aboard the Osprey Steamer on Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Park. He graduated from Frankfort Schuyler High School with the class of 1954, where he played both football and basketball. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire, England.
As luck would have it, one Airman was unable to deploy—otherwise Gary may never have met the love of his life, Christine Sybil (Blake), who would become his wife for 63 wonderful years (only after winning over his future mother-in-law with chocolates and perfume).
After returning home from the Air Force, Gary and Christine were married on August 12, 1961, at the Ilion United Methodist Church. While living in Oriskany, New York, they welcomed their daughter Michelle in 1965, followed by their son Andrew in 1969.
Gary built a long and successful career as an aircraft mechanic, starting with Utica Aircraft, and later becoming a “Hawker” with Mohawk Airlines, which eventually merged into Allegheny Airlines. In the middle of the Blizzard of 1977, the family relocated to Wexford, Pennsylvania, where Gary worked for USAir until his retirement in 1997.
Gary was an avid reader, a devoted family man, and a lifelong fan of Frank Sinatra—there wasn’t a song he wouldn’t sing along with. He and Christine took full advantage of their airline benefits, traveling extensively across the U.S. and Europe.
After retirement, they moved south to escape the snow, settling on Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina, and becoming active members of Huntersville United Methodist Church.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his infant brother, Ted Hollister; his sister, Janet Daisy Frank; his brother-in-law, Albert Vincent Frank; and his niece, Lisa Louise Frank Gilmore.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Christine; their daughter, Michelle; and son, Andrew (Jennifer). He was “PopPop” to three grandchildren who brought him immense joy: Maureen Lillian McNamara Stone (Tyler), Charles Joseph Hollister, and James Ackler Hollister. He is also survived by niece Lori (Brian) Skinner of Salt Lake City, Utah; and nephew Jon (Janet Gilchrist) Franchino, of Denver, Colorado. Additionally, he is survived by two of the best lifelong friends a man could ask for, Phil Farouche and Nick Norod from the thriving metropolis of Frankfort, New York.
Always with a song or an odd little saying, Gary’s kind heart and quick wit brought laughter wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Per his wishes, Gary will be cremated, and his urn will be interred near his parents at Oakview Cemetery in Frankfort, Herkimer County, New York.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers and medical staff at Novant Health Huntersville, and his longtime physician, Dr. James V. Allen III and his staff for their compassion and support.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gary’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association or Huntersville UMC at 14005 Stumptown Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life at Huntersville United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11 a.m. A second service will be held in Frankfort, New York, later this year.
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