Enjoyed cooking, home brewing and afternoons by the pool with family
Published July 9, 2020
NORTH READING – Gary R. Dingman, 58, a longtime resident of North Reading, died peacefully on June 28, 2020 surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in New Orleans on July 26, 1961, he was the loving husband of Sharron Senter of North Reading, father of his daughter Sarah V. Dingman and her husband Zhe Zheng of Chelmsford; his son Thomas W. Dingman of North Reading; his stepchildren Abby Belbin of Salem, N.H., and Max Belbin of North Reading, as well as the adored son of his deceased parents, Caroline G. Eldridge and her husband Herbert A. Eldridge of Sarasota, Fla., and Dr. Joseph F. Dingman and his wife Sharyn of South Yarmouth.
A caring, loving and loyal father and husband, Gary was a calm, selfless, warm and vastly open-minded individual as well as a man of infinite patience. He was actively involved in his children’s lives; the family rock, always there to listen, support and guide.
Welcoming of all, Gary enjoyed cooking and experimenting with new recipes while entertaining family and friends. His home-baked holiday bread and rolls were a must at family events. Gary also enjoyed home brewing, woodworking and spending carefree days at Hampton Beach, skiing at Sunday River and summer afternoons by the pool with family. An avid reader, particularly history, he had a canny ability to recite unusual facts from long ago. Overly generous, Gary had a great sense of humor and was a trusted and reliable friend.
Years back, he was an avid runner, Cub Scout leader, skated in multiple adult hockey leagues (Go Rebels!) and taught children how to skate as a volunteer with the Special Olympics.
He received his bachelor of science degree in computer systems engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Engineering, and worked as an engineer his entire career, most recently with Cisco Systems, Inc. He grew up in and attended the Wellesley school system.
Gary will be missed by many other loving family members including his brother Joseph F. Dingman, Jr. (deceased) and his wife Carolyn I. of Lancaster, Penn.; his sister Kathleen J. Walters (deceased) and her husband Rick Walters of East Sandwich; his brother Kenneth J. Dingman and his wife Catherine of Monroe, Ore.; his brother Brian M. Dingman of Shrewsbury; and his sister Kristina Dingman of Royal Palm Beach, Fla. He was also the cherished uncle of nine nieces and nephews.
The world is a lesser place without Gary. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
To help discover a cure for cancer, it was Gary’s desire that memorial donations be made in his name to the Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 (dana-farber.org/gastrointestinal-cancer-treatment-center).
A celebration of life will be held in the coming weeks.
