Gary Paul Fretwell, age 70, passed away on January 24 after injuries sustained from a pedestrian accident.
A celebration of Gary’s life will be held at St. James Place in Great Barrington on March 14, 2026, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
Gary was born on November 23, 1955, in White Plains, N.Y., to William and Mary (Bailey) Fretwell. In 1963, his family moved from Valhalla, N.Y., to North Salem, N.Y., where he later graduated from North Salem High School in 1974.
Gary is survived by two sisters, Ruth (Fretwell) Ravelling of Winter Haven, Fla., and Nancy (Fretwell) Charalabakis and her husband Alex of Pawling, N.Y., as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Bill, John, and Craig.
After graduation, Gary lived in White Plains, N.Y., working at the American Yacht Club in Rye, N.Y., for many years. He moved to St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he managed Havensight Market. From there, he moved to Nantucket, Mass., managing an upscale retail store before ultimately settling in Great Barrington, where he lived for 26 years.
In Great Barrington, Gary managed Twin Fires Antiques for many years and was an avid antiques collector and dealer. After retiring, he found joy in working as a pet sitter, forming close bonds not only with the animals in his care, but also with their devoted owners.
Gary loved life and the people in it, welcoming many into his wide and joyful circle. He was well known in Great Barrington and enjoyed frequent trips to New York City, along with traveling throughout the United States and Europe. He cherished time spent with close friends—sharing meals at local restaurants, watching films at The Triplex, and attending performances at the Mahaiwe. A familiar presence on the River Walk, Gary could often be found strolling there, with and without canine companions.
Gary was taken too soon and will be profoundly missed by his loving family and the many, many friends whose lives he touched.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gary’s memory may be made to a local animal welfare or rescue organization, honoring his love for animals.
