Gary George Staab

Gary George Staab, 85, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 5, 1939, and passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025.

Gary was predeceased by his mother Anna, father Howard, and sister Laurie (Ruhnke).

Gary’s early life was spent playing baseball and basketball in New York and going to the racetrack with his grandfather. He joined the Navy at age 17 and played baseball and basketball for the Navy from 1956 – 1960 all over the Mediterranean, including playing before Queen Elizabeth and Grace Kelly from aboard the heavy cruisers USS Salem and USS Northampton.

Gary left the Navy to try out with the New York Yankees, but an injury cut his career short. He then started coaching baseball and basketball and continued for 62 years, only stopping because of health issues. He was well known for his loud and spirited discussions with umpires, quoting the rule book to their frustration.

He was very proud of being able to teach baseball and life lessons to many players, helping them get scholarships to college and make life decisions. He enjoyed hearing from and about previous players and attended many graduations and weddings.

He was a scout for the Montreal Expos and the Cincinnati Reds and worked in the stock market for many years, owned a baseball card shop, and sometimes drove a cab to support his baseball programs.

He had a wealth of baseball knowledge and attended spring training sessions in Arizona and Florida to learn even more. Gary had an extensive baseball card and memorabilia collection and spent hours sorting cards.

He loved to drive and drove across the country several times, as well as driving teams to tournaments and players to tryouts. He was a serious New York Mets and New York Giants fan.

Gary leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Karen, his son Brian, daughter Lisa (Kennedy), grandchildren, Bailey and Rachel Robertson (Jack), 6 nieces and 7 nephews, brother and sisters-in-laws, Gerard and Rebecca Fowler, Ellen and Ken Ryan, Andy and Cathy Fowler, John and Denise Fowler and Jerry Ruhnke as well as hundreds of former players.

A visitation for Gary will be held at Wages & Sons Funeral Home at 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, GA on Sunday, 5/4/25 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at Wages & Sons on Monday 5/5/25 at 9:30 a.m. If anyone would like to say a few words, please let Karen know at 770-337-8459.

His burial service will be at Georgia National Cemetery on Monday, 5/5/25 at 1:00 p.m.

If anyone wishes to make a donation in Gary’s name, please consider https://wearesrna.org/donate/ (for Transverse Myelitis research), the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association (MGBA) or a charity of your choice.