Obituary of Gary R. Gage

Gary R. Gage of Saginaw, Michigan, and formerly of South Bend, IN and Naples, FL, Passed away on January 5, 2021 at the age of 71. Gary was born in Detroit, MI to the late Robert C. and Esther (Hess) Gage. He was a graduate from North Farmington High School and Central Michigan University. For most of his career he was employed in the broadcasting profession. Using the professional name Ron-Jay Scott, he worked at radio stations in Saginaw and Grand Rapids MI, Dubuque IA, and South Bend IN. While in Saginaw he was also employed for a number of seasons by the original Saginaw Gears Hockey Club of the International Hockey League in a public relations and broadcasting capacity. In Grand Rapids, Gary married Linda Lewis of Saginaw. After retiring in 2005 they split their time, spending winters in Naples, FL and keeping a summer home in Saginaw. Gary is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Linda, their son Ronald-Jayson (Ron-Jay) Gage, a sister Barbara Gage-Rex, and several cousins. Also brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bob (Mary) Lewis, Michael Lewis, Lora Smith, and Lisa (Jim) Rutherford along with many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his friends of almost 50 years Gordie and Lynda Mefford of Saginaw and Naples, FL, Jay and Eva Adams of Toronto, Ontario and Naples, FL and Michael and Pam Weaver of Granger, IN. After his family, Gary's other real passion was the sport of ice hockey. He played as a youth and eventually worked for a professional hockey club. After relocating to South Bend, he donated countless hours as a coach and volunteer for the Irish Youth Hockey League and the Michiana High School Hockey League, where his son played. He also worked with the University of Notre Dame hockey program as an off-ice official until his retirement. He was a life-long Detroit Red Wings fan and a supporter of the Notre Dame Hockey team. His proudest hockey memories were the Saginaw Gears IHL championships in 1976 and 1981, Red Wing Stanley Cup championships, and his son's Irish Rovers travel hockey team's runner-up finish in the Indiana State Hockey Tournament, a team that Gary coached. He also enjoyed playing golf with family and friends. No services will be held, and as per his wishes, cremation has taken place. He will be buried at a later date. Please consider memorial contributions to the University of Notre Dame. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) in Saginaw. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com