Obituary of Garry C. Conklin

Garry Conklin died of cancer at his home in Belfast, Maine on February 13, 2024. He was 72 years old. Born in Peekskill, NY on August 8, 1951, Garry graduated from Hendrick Hudson High School, Montrose, NY, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree at West Chester University, West Chester, PA.

Garry had a long and successful career in retail, managing the True Value Hardware store in Fishkill, NY, and the Home Depot in Newburgh, NY. In 2011, Garry and his wife Mary Johnston, who is a designer, moved to Belfast, Maine where they opened and operated “Conklin’s Maine Mercantile,” selling only merchandise made in the USA. They restored homes in New York and Maine, and felt fortunate to own and restore the oldest house in Belfast.

A talented athlete, Garry enjoyed skiing, bicycling, hiking, and fishing. He excelled at baseball in high school, winning the “All-County Pitcher” award for Westchester County, NY. After graduating from high school, he was invited to try out for the New York Mets, but decided to pursue a college degree and played baseball throughout his college years.

Garry is survived by his wife Mary. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Contributions in Garry’s memory may be made to PAWS Animal Shelter, Camden, ME, pawscares.org.