Gary Russell Lafo

Gary Russell Lafo, born April 4, 1946, a longtime resident of Connecticut, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at his home in Spring Hill, Florida, surrounded by his loved ones.

Gary was born to Jeanette and Gordon Lafo, one of five boys. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969, reflecting his deep sense of duty and commitment. Following his military service, he began a long and distinguished career with Pratt & Whitney, where he dedicated over 40 years of hard work and was widely respected for his reliability and strong work ethic.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife of fourty-two years, Dorothy “Dot” Lafo, and his children, Marc Lafo, Kimberly Torres, and Carolyn Lord. He is also survived by his brothers, William “Archie” Lafo, Dave Lafo, and Brad Lafo. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kim Lafo, as well as his parents.

A devoted family man, Gary, otherwise known as Papoo, cherished every moment with his grandchildren—Alex, Alize, Quehana, Joel, David, Karlie, Erin, and Jesse—and his ten great-grandchildren. His love for his family was at the center of his life and brought him immense pride and joy.

Gary will be remembered for his love of fishing, his passion for hockey—especially his loyalty to the Carolina Hurricanes—and his enjoyment of playing pool and darts as a member of the Polish Falcon's Club in his younger years. He loved going on cruise vacations and enjoyed his time in the casinos, especially taking part in slot tournaments while on board. Gary never turned down a cup of coffee, no matter the time of day—even right before bed. He had a great sense of humor that brought laughter to those around him. Strong-willed and a bit stubborn, these were qualities that those who knew him best came to appreciate and love. Even when he couldn’t hear every word, he never missed an opportunity to share a laugh or bring a smile to someone’s face.

Gary leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories and will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A Memorial Service and Burial are pending arrangements.