Obituary of Gary R. Cogliati

Gary R. Cogliati passed away Thursday morning, February 1, 2024 at St. Clare's Hospital in Denville. He was 72.

Born in Newark, NJ, Gary was raised in the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany, NJ and had lived in different NJ towns before settling to the Hibernia section of Rockaway, NJ, 15 years ago.

Gary was a self-employed HVAC contractor in the Rockaway area for over 30 years before retiring 10 years ago. He took tremendous pride in his workmanship and troubleshooting capabilities. Gary had a devout belief that no person should be left without heat when he was on the job. With a big grin on his face, he would happily tell you "You've had the rest and now you have the best." Gary also took tremendous pride in sharing his skillset and journey with those in search of a mentor.

Outside of work, Gary was an avid NY sports fan. And to be clear, that is the Mets, Giants and Knicks. Come March, Gary was glued to March Madness with a broken bracket full of underdog selections. Gary loved his music and was a proud attendee of Watkins Glen. He was a hunting and fishing enthusiast. His ideal vacation was a sunrise fishing trip with his family and friends. Those close to him were familiar with his yearly off-key serenade of Happy Birthday and elaborate stories, which from anyone else would be unbelievable.

Gary, a proud father, grandfather, and brother, was survived by his three children Michael, Christopher, and Nicole, along with their spouses respectfully Nicole, Vallerie and Daniel; his six grandchildren Ryan, Jackson, Connor, Jacob, Brooklyn and newly born Abigail; and his brother Ron and his wife Ann Marie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Gathering on Sunday February 18, 2024 from 2pm - 4pm at S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ. Cremation will be private.

Throughout his life, Gary felt connected to those with disabilities and spent time teaching those individuals how to fish. Through this process, a gentler side of Gary was able to shine through his tough exterior. These experiences meant so much to him that in later years, he was passionate about donating to the Special Olympics and similar charities that promoted inclusion for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the Special Olympics in Gary's memory.

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