Gary Joseph Bertrand

NAPLES, Fla. – Gary J. Bertrand, 58, left us on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at his home in Naples, Florida, surrounded by his family and fur babies. He fought cancer head on with amazing strength and bravery.

Gary was a lifelong tinkerer. He figured out how to use duct tape and glue effectively early on. These skills along with his love of all things tools all led to wonderful works of art. He spent much of his free time in his wood shop while rocking out to his favorite metal bands. Well known for his lack of patience, somehow he could go fish all day long only to return home empty handed. He made up for that with some pretty fantastic barbecue creating the most perfect smoke ring on his meat of choice. He loved and laughed hard, learned what he wanted, fixed what he wanted, traveled where he wanted and made inappropriate comments at every chance. He really didn’t care for sports, but he absolutely loved Ohio State football.

Gary was born on Jan. 21, 1967, in Biddeford, to Conrad and Lise Bertrand. After graduating from Biddeford High School in 1986, he enlisted in the United States Air Force along with his best friend Brian Gagnon. In 1992 he earned a degree in Electronics from ITT Technical Institute of Technology in Kissimmee, Florida, the town where he met his wife. Together they spent the last 28 years living in Naples, Florida, raising their family and working for Comcast until his retirement in November 2024.

Gary will be terribly missed by his loving wife Kary, whom he married on Aug. 12, 1995. He was an awesome dad to his kids, Kamryn, Drew and Evan all of Naples and Shelly (Ryan) Bayne of Warner Robins, Georgia. He was Grampy to Swayze, Miles and Marley Bayne. Also surviving are his father Conrad Bertrand of Panama City, Florida; siblings Linda (Gary) Goodson of Lewisburg, Tennessee, Kevin (Mary) Bertrand of Cherryvale, Kansas, and Patrick (Raechel) Bertrand of Tyro, Kansas; favorite mother-in-law Louise Huettel of Naples, Florida; countless nieces, nephews, cousins and his furry kids Lilo, Mrs. Norris, Oreo, and Snickers. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lise Bertrand and father-in-law Edward Huettel.

The family graciously thanks the neighbors for placing United States flags around the neighborhood to honor Gary – a passionate tradition Gary began and grew to honor all patriotic holidays. 

Visitation and viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 4-8 p.m., with a special service and prayer at 6 p.m., at Fuller Funeral Home (4735 Tamiami Trail East) in Naples, Florida. Gary will be interred at a later date in Biddeford, with full military honors.