Gary J Klenovic

of Chenango Bridge

Gary J Klenovic, 65 died Friday May 13, 2016.  He was predeceased by his mother Mary A Klenovic, his father John I Klenovic, sister Dorothy M Conroe, brother in law Morris Conroe.  He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jo Anne Willis Klenovic, his son Jonathan G Klenovic and daughter in law Meaghan Klenovic, daughter Carrie A Shafer and son in law Daniel Shafer, of Chenango Bridge.  Gary is also survived by father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard & Donna Willis, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie and Jim Lisi, niece, Adrianna Lisi, many aunts, uncles and cousins from both the Klenovic and Blabac families.

Born in Johnson City, Gary’s parents moved the family to Chenango Bridge in 1957 to open the Chenango Bridge Red & White Grocery on River Road. He graduated from Valley Forge Military & Prep Academy in 1968. He then went on to Paul Smith’s College graduating with a culinary degree in 1971.  He returned to Chenango Bridge to work side by side with his parents and eventually taking the reins to become a second generation family owned business in 1978.  In 1979 with high school friends, he founded Guiseppe’s Pizza.   Gary and Jo Anne were married in 1981 and became his last and only business partner. They have managed the Red & White Grocery together, founded Red & White Catering while raising their son and daughter in the “Bridge”.

Gary had a passion for cooking and grilling and shared his techniques for the perfect steak with customers in the store.  He loved all New York sports teams and followed CV hockey, football and baseball. He never missed a dance recital and more than once was rained soaked on the sidelines watching his daughter cheer. He was extremely proud of his children and the adults they had become. Gary loved his children very much as well as their spouses whom he loved like his own.   His granddaughter Emerson brought a smile to his face through the pain of his final days.

Funeral Services will be held at the THOMAS J. SHEA FUNERAL HOME 137 Robinson Street on Tues. at 11 a.m.  Deacon Steve Blabac of St. Francis of Assisi Church will officiate.  Burial will be in Chenango Valley Cemetery, Hillcrest.  The family will receive friends at the THOMAS J. SHEA FUNERAL HOME on Mon. from 4 to 7 p.m.  Memorial contributions in memory of Gary may be made to:  Lourdes Hospice 4102 Old Vestal Rd. Vestal, NY 13850 or Broome County Humane Society 2 Jackson Street Binghamton, NY  13903.  On-line condolences may be made at:   www.omaddenfh.com.  Arrangements by the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home 69-71 Maple Street Harpursville.

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