Gerald "Gary" Tessier

Gerald " Gary " Tessier, 66, of Vance, husband to Sandra Tessier, entered into eternal rest on March 18, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children.

Born on June 29, 1955 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Gary was a son of the late Raymond L. Tessier and Grace Anne Tessier.
Gary was in the United States Navy for twenty years. Gary retired as a Chief Petty Officer from the Charleston Naval Base and was a key member in the base's closure. After retiring from the Navy, Gary worked as a correctional officer at Lieber Correctional Facility for several years. After leaving his position as a correctional officer, Gary was a Maintenance Caretaker for the National Park Service in the Charleston, SC area including Fort Sumter for 18 years. Gary enjoyed the outdoors, where he loved boating and fishing with friends and family. He also loved singing karaoke and working on home improvement projects at his home. Gary was very particular about the jobs he worked and was considered a perfectionist. He was also a long-time member of Lodge #420 AFM and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Besides his loving wife, Sandra, Gary is survived by his three daughters; Genalyn Mather of Laurel, Maryland; Christina Ross (Tony) of Milledgeville, Georgia; Michelle Steen (Chris) of Summerville, South Carolina; son and step-son; Jeremy Tessier (Amanda) of Pendleton, South Carolina; and Brandon Finley (Alyssa) of Summerville, South Carolina; seven grandchildren: Darrion, Jaiden, Lillian, Unique, Ava, Amelia, and Allena; his brother and sister of Massachusetts; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gary was predeceased by his parents; and a stepson; Nick Finley.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 25, 2022, from 11AM-12PM, at Avinger Funeral Home. A memorial service with Military Honors and Masonic Rites to honor Gary's life will follow at 12PM.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Amedisys Hospice of Sumter for their loving support, and their strong dedication from everyone.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at https://www.avingerfh.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd., Holly Hill, SC 29059, (803) 496-3434.