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Welcome to the memorial page for
Gary Ray Black
August 23, 1949 ~ December 11, 2017 (age 68) 68 Years Old Light a Candle
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A candle was lit by Lorrie
on August 16, 2019 1:08 PM
Message from Renata
May 24, 2018 10:47 AM
Dear Black family, I knew Gary through the APHA Health Communication Working Group and worked with him many years on the Film Festival he founded and loved so much. We also organized together a retrospective of the festival many years ago here at NYU. Gary was one of the nicest, generous and hard working people I ever met in my life. His commitment to public health and social justice, humbleness, and vision will be very much missed by all of us at the APHA. Best, Renata
A candle was lit by Lorrie
on January 9, 2018 11:14 AM
A candle was lit by SUELLA and ALBERT RADFORD
on December 19, 2017 5:20 PM
A candle was lit by Tessa St.Hill-Samuel
on December 17, 2017 4:06 AM
A candle was lit by Meredith Fortner Leatherwood
on December 16, 2017 11:33 AM
Message from David Allen
December 15, 2017 1:10 PM
Every now and again we are lucky enough to meet someone special: someone who has the capacity for wonderful things, to cheer us , support us and who asks for nothing in return. Gary was one such person, and whilst I knew him all too briefly it is clear he touched many more lives than mine. A marvellous legacy - to go alongside his significant and meaningful contribution to public health.
Condolences to friends and family.
Condolences to friends and family.
A candle was lit by Juanita Pyant
on December 15, 2017 11:28 AM
Message from Professor John Middleton
December 15, 2017 4:08 AM
Gary was a great public health advocate, an enthusiast for film, a great colleague and a friend to the United Kingdom. Thanks for what you did for public health and film in the UK Gary. We will miss you. Our condolences to family and friends. from the UK Faculty of Public Health.
Message from Frank McGough and family
December 14, 2017 5:09 AM
Gary was a great friend and collaborator. He did great work and I was honored to be a part of it and to call him a friend. We will miss him dearly.
A candle was lit by Frank McGough and family
on December 14, 2017 5:04 AM
Message from Jeanne Dairaghi
December 13, 2017 8:38 PM
My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to all of Gary's friends and family members. I met Gary through his support of youth empowerment and the nonprofit organization Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!)--in fact, Gary was one of our founding board members. I loved his easygoing, supportive, good-humored personality that was always interested in advocacy, activism, and making a positive change. He was always curious to understand the people around him, and loved to talk books and movies and music and good food. He will be greatly missed.
Message from Tammy Royston
December 13, 2017 6:08 PM
Debbie, my prayers go up for you and the children. I fondly remember our nights in ICU hearing you tell stories about Gary. The two of you were a match made in heaven!
Message from Meg Young
December 13, 2017 3:53 PM
Dear Black Family, I am so sad to hear that Gary has passed. I knew him through the Health Communication Working Group and he was such a delightful colleague and really put his heart into the Film Festival and bringing it all to fruition. Which is no easy task in a virtual nation-wide volunteer organization. I was a fresh graduate at the time and his example of kindness and professionalism was a great example to me. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that you receive some comfort from the knowledge that he is in paradise now. Kind regards, Meg
A candle was lit by Erica Fielder and Family
on December 13, 2017 2:59 PM
A candle was lit by Linda Bergonzi-King
on December 13, 2017 1:23 PM
A candle was lit by Jessica Smith Robinson
on December 13, 2017 12:31 PM
A candle was lit by Donna Wright
on December 13, 2017 11:37 AM
Message from Libby Safrit
December 13, 2017 10:00 AM
I am so very sorry to learn of Gary's passing. Truly in shock- Gary was a tremendous partner for the work at Teen Health Connection and an amazing advocate for the health issues in our community. His presence has been missed since he retired.
A candle was lit by Libby Safrit
on December 13, 2017 9:58 AM
A candle was lit by Joan Kennedy
on December 13, 2017 9:26 AM
Message from David Fouse
December 13, 2017 8:56 AM
Colleagues at the American Public Health Association are deeply saddened to learn of Gary's passing. He was a great spirit and true advocate for public health. We're particularly grateful for his many years of leadership of our public health film festival, which, thanks to Gary and his team of dedicated collaborators, has only grown in prominence and quality and continues as a highlight for many who attend our meetings.
Our sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Our sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Message from Ann Staples
December 13, 2017 8:35 AM
My sincere condolences to Gary's family members and close friends. I have worked in public health at the state level for 25 years. Gary was someone I could always go to when I needed to work through an idea. His creativity and can-do attitude benefited me and my program many times through the years. When he was based at Billingsley Road, we regularly met for ethnic food lunches and long talks about literature, public health, health policy and philosophy. His ability to work in government for so long without becoming jaded or weary was a constant inspiration for me. He was always encouraging, always positive and always thinking about new and better ways to reach out audiences with public health messages. I grieve with you, and I will never, never forget him.
A candle was lit by Faye Parton Lowery
on December 12, 2017 9:00 PM
Message from Pam (film partner in crime here & abroad)
December 12, 2017 7:42 PM
Gary: You gave opportunity to those who others did not see---you saw and you gave... you propped up the reluctant and cheered the needy. You loved helping them tell their stories in hopes of creating change and improving their lives and others---This is a continuing story.
Many blessing to the Black family, you were his true treasures. his story is yours forever intertwined.
Fare thee well!
Many blessing to the Black family, you were his true treasures. his story is yours forever intertwined.
Fare thee well!
A candle was lit by Dr Luna
on December 12, 2017 7:32 PM
A candle was lit by Brenda Carter
on December 12, 2017 4:01 PM
Message from Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
December 12, 2017 3:47 PM
To Gary's family, friends and colleagues.
My condolences at his passing. Gary was the bearded comedian at the front desk of the Mecklenberg County Health Department who met this student traveler in 2008, helping me to get an internship underway.
He then proceeded to take me on a guided tour, make introductions to staff, and make me feel welcome. It's a privilege to have met someone who's made a real contribution to public health, and he leaves a tremendous legacy that so many people are grateful for.
A brief message of support to his family: Debbie, Devin, Lauren, Taylor and Gina.
Kia Kaha (Stand strong)
Shaun Cavanagh : ).
My condolences at his passing. Gary was the bearded comedian at the front desk of the Mecklenberg County Health Department who met this student traveler in 2008, helping me to get an internship underway.
He then proceeded to take me on a guided tour, make introductions to staff, and make me feel welcome. It's a privilege to have met someone who's made a real contribution to public health, and he leaves a tremendous legacy that so many people are grateful for.
A brief message of support to his family: Debbie, Devin, Lauren, Taylor and Gina.
Kia Kaha (Stand strong)
Shaun Cavanagh : ).
A candle was lit by Lissett Ventura
on December 12, 2017 3:26 PM
Message from June Leath - Mecklenburg County Health Department
December 12, 2017 3:25 PM
Debbie my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May his memories rest in your hearts forever.
A candle was lit by June Leath
on December 12, 2017 3:21 PM
A candle was lit by Pam Howze
on December 12, 2017 3:01 PM
A candle was lit by Becky Carter, Meck Cty PI retiree
on December 12, 2017 2:57 PM
A candle was lit by Suzanne Baraboo Hardin
on December 12, 2017 1:51 PM
A candle was lit by Tammy Sanderson
on December 12, 2017 1:26 PM
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