Gary Rautine

Gary J. Rautine, age 80, died Friday, October 4, 2013 at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home, where he resided. He was born in Erie on December 21st, 1932, the son of the late Toivo S. and Dorthea L. Wilkins Rautine.

Gary graduated Millcreek High School, class of 1950, and attended the University of Miami, in Miami, FL and Penn State Behrend College. He served in the US Army, in Germany during the Korean Conflict, as an MP from March 1953 to April 1961. He played the French horn in the Army Band in Germany.

He was employed as a highway construction contractor and for Birkmire Trucking.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Nancy M. Fuhrer, his brother T. Bert Rautine, and his son-in-law James Beskid.

He is survived by his children, Sharon Beskid, Lisa Maas and husband Scott Huber, Roberta Kennedy, Mark Rautine all of Erie, and Erik Rautine of Columbus, OH; his sister, Susan Rautine and husband Gene Barnes of Monterey, CA, his brother, John Rautine, also of Erie. He is further survived by eight grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26th Street at Powell Avenue on Monday, October 7, from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. The burial will be private.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home for all their love and support while caring for Gary. Memorials may be made to the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home: 560 East Third Street Erie, PA 16507.