Gary Duhaine's Obituary
Gary Duhaine, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, and friend to all, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026. He was a man who filled every room with laughter, every relationship with devotion, and every season of life with joy.
Gary was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, to Marilyn Bewsher Duhaine and William Duhaine on June 10, 1955. He passed away in Murray, Utah, following a hospital stay beginning in late January. He is preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Joseph Acquaviva. Gary is survived by his wife, Janet Duhaine, children Nichole and Jason (Stacey) Duhaine, grandchildren Holden and Teagan Duhaine, sisters Lisa Wyatt (Gene) and Lori Baker (Marc), niece Maya Wyatt, stepmother Polly Duhaine, and many beloved cousins and friends he counted as family.
Gary shared nearly 49 beautiful years of marriage with the love of his life, Janet. After knowing each other for just three months, when they were both 21, he convinced her to elope to Ely, Nevada, a decision that began their epic love story. Together they were inseparable, true soulmates who grew from a young, vibrant “Barbie couple” into devoted partners who never stopped choosing each other. He adored his wife openly and tenderly, always complimenting her, always serving her, even holding her drink to her lips while she drove so she wouldn’t have to take her eyes off the road. To him, she was forever the most beautiful woman in the world.
Gary was a loving father to Nichole and Jason, and an enthusiastic, hands-on dad who believed in adventure and creating memories. Family road trips, shared performances, church activities, and audience cheering at every event defined his parenting. He didn’t just support his children; he participated, he acted, and he showed up. Gary was known as the keeper of family ties and traditions, faithfully calling cousins and friends no matter how many miles separated them. In his younger years, he developed a passion for genealogy, tracing his ancestors and teaching his children to honor where they came from, even taking them on adventures to cemeteries to find family headstones and connect with their history. To him, family wasn’t just the present moment. It was the past, the future, and the threads that bound them together.
For many years, Gary served as a youth leader and seminary teacher in his church. His students didn’t just learn from him; they loved and admired him. He taught with humor, creativity, and heart. Whether dressing as Cupid for a lesson, performing skits, or arriving in full Halloween costume, he was fearless in his commitment to making learning joyful. He was the king of jokes, quick-witted and endlessly playful, and he made countless young people feel seen, valued, and loved.
As “Grandpa Junior Girly Popcorn” to his cherished grandchildren, Holden and Teagan, he continued his legacy of fun, laughter, and devotion. He adored them so much, attending every basketball game and performance, learning silly handshakes with his granddaughter, and caring for both of them when they were babies while their parents went to work. In November 2023, the entire family moved to Hawaii to join Nichole, adorably living in back-to-back houses where the grandkids could freely run back and forth between Grandma and Grandpa’s and their own home. His family will always cherish the sweet time they all spent together making memories in Hawaii.
Gary was endlessly creative and deeply sentimental. He was a talented woodworker, designer, and builder, adding personal touches to his own home and the homes of dear friends and family. He lovingly created countless wedding videos, funeral programs, and tributes for friends and family, preserving memories with care and intention. If someone mentioned loving coffee, he would remember and weeks later show up with the perfect coffee ornament because it made him think of them. He paid attention. He noticed. He made people feel remembered and cherished in small, meaningful ways that stayed with them.
Wherever he went, Gary made friends. Every cashier, every server, every neighbor knew him and laughed with him. He was the undisputed king of dad jokes, quick-witted, fearless with a punchline, and always ready to turn an ordinary moment into something fun. He and his wife spent every moment together, and people loved spending time with Gary and Janet. To know Gary was to love him, and to be loved by him was a gift.
More than anything, Gary will be remembered for how deeply he loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and everyone lucky enough to know him. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, devotion, and a family more closely knit because of his love.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Gary’s honor on March 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm MST at the LDS church building located at 619 W 5750 S in Murray, Utah.
The service will also be live-streamed on YouTube for those who are out of town. The link to join is: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWard-u6k/streams.
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