On May 31st, 2025, at age 62, Gary Michael Fobert of Fernandina Beach, FL departed his earthly home to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus in Heaven. His life was cut tragically short after a difficult time battling numerous health ailments, he passed peacefully with the love of his life since age 16 and wife of 42 1/2 years, Nancy, at his side.

A service to celebrate and remember Gary’s life will be held Monday, June 16th, 2025 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach beginning at 11:00 AM. He will be laid at Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island, IL on Monday, June 30th, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

Gary was born on July 17th, 1962, in Rock Island, IL to Joanne (Wells) and Francis “Bud” Fobert. Growing up in Rock Island, Il, he was one of 13 children but was the special number 10. After graduating high school, he and Nancy were married and continued their adventures together, including starting their family. They have 3 sons; Brandon, Tyler and Mitchell, who brought great joy into their already abundant lives and now have been completely fulfilled with the addition of 6 grandchildren.

An extraordinary man of deep faith, remarkable character, and an ability to inspire everyone around him, Gary leaves all who knew him with the gift of seeing what a life well lived looks like. A devoted husband, proud father, doting grandfather, fun-loving brother and uncle, and cherished friend, all who were blessed to be in Gary’s orbit undoubtedly are left with a hole in their hearts and yet are better people for having known him and been touched by his generosity, optimism, good humor, and ability to create beauty in and make the world a better place.

Gary in many ways was a serial entrepreneur and visionary and never backed down from pursuing what he felt compelled to take on. Gary Fobert seemed to be able to do anything. Starting with a career in lumber, then moved on to the procurement of lumber for mulch facilities, to evolving TJ Antiques, to being Nancy’s collaborator building nationally known Fobert Designs Tin Art, and their most recent endeavors creating Top Dressed Lawns which was rapidly growing in northern Florida. Gary also found time to, along with Nancy, apply his myriad talents to building, renovating, flipping, and transforming real estate. One of Gary and Nancy’s most recent projects was transforming a spectacular and unique parcel of land in the Finger Lakes of New York known as The Point. Overlooking Seneca Lake, The Point was the site for a magical ceremony in 2018 when, surrounded by loved ones, they renewed their vows after 35 years of wedded bliss.

Those who know him well describe Gary as always being full of positive and infectious energy, vibrant, always “ready to go”, and full of life and love. He was a man who cared about others and helped everyone all the time, giving of himself and sharing whatever he had that others might need. He was strong as an ox, powerful, as handsome as they come and with a personality that made others want to be like him. He exuded an inner and outer brightness that made anyone in his company feel really, really, good.
Never deterred, Gary embraced and pursued whatever was in his sights with passion, determination, and with an uncanny ability to, along with Nancy, make everything more beautiful. Those who knew Gary, and who know Nancy often remark that everything they touch turns to gold. That is perhaps no truer than the fairy tale story of the love Gary had for Nancy who was his partner in life, in business, and in spreading joy wherever they were.

He most certainly leaves a legacy of wanting all to embrace the possibilities in life, trust in the generosity of family and friends, and faith in God, to navigate the inevitable ups and downs. He would likely want us to be happy, smile, and of course “just don’t be sad.”

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Patricia Williams; sister-in-law, Barbara Depoorter; and a nephew, Cory Creger.

He leaves behind his wife, Nancy Fobert; his sons and their wives, Brandon and Carrie Fobert, Tyler and Allison Fobert and Mitchell and Erika Fobert; six grandchildren, Benjamin, Emmett, Callen, Isaac, Noah and Ayla; his siblings and their spouses, David and Barb Fobert, Rita and Larry Daffara, Pam and Mike Creger, Jim and Kathy Fobert, Theresa and Tony Martinez, Mary and Troy Randall, Joni and Bill Saelens, Tom and Laurie Fobert, Cheryl and Doug Akin, Rob and Lori Fobert, Steve and Kim Fobert and Greg and Sandy Fobert; his father-in-law and wife, Thomas and Amelda Jaynes; a brother-in-law, Michael Jaynes as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of amazing love we experienced over the last 13 months, expressed; in phone calls, texts, notes, cards, generous gifts and unbelievable acts of service, from family, friends, our community and our precious church family, may God bless each of you tenfold.