Age: 75
Occupation: Retired from Merced Irrigation District.
Gary Michael Brizzee was born February 21, 1947, in Los Banos, California to the proud parents Ralph and Violet Brizzee. At the age of five, Gary met Sharon Souza, who lived across the street. During his teenage years Gary recognized that he and Sharon should be more than just neighbors and playground buddies. Gary graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in 1960 and Los Banos High School in 1964 at the age of 17, and then moved to Redwood City to be close to Sharon who had moved there her senior year. In 1966, he married the love of his life, Sharon. Shortly thereafter Michelle was born in 1967, and Gary in 1973. They lived in Redwood City until 1976, when they came back to Los Banos to raise their children near their family.
Gary worked for Bob Brandi Apiaries, Central California Irrigation District and then retired after a long career at Merced Irrigation District. After retirement, Gary golfed to his heart’s content in Stevenson and most recently Chowchilla. He loved spending time with his beloved family, and friends. The most enjoyable were Sunday dinners and cards with family.
Besides golfing, Gary enjoyed going to Sportsman’s, Golden Agers, and making traditional Italian sausage every year. He was an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants and years ago he was a season ticket holder to the San Francisco 49ers.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Violet Brizzee, his in-laws, Bill and Betty Souza, and most recently his younger sister Sharon Brizzee Mueller, who passed last year.
Gary is survived by his best friend and wife, Sharon Souza Brizzee, daughter Michelle Munden and her husband Mark, son Gary Brizzee, Jr. and his wife Danette. Grandchildren who he was so proud of, Nicole Marchese, Amanda Sousa and her husband Michael, Will Marchese, Carson Brizzee, Madelyn Brizzee, Connor Munden, Alex Munden, as well as his beloved dog, Molly. His sister Kathleen Brandi and her husband Bob, brother-inlaw Walt Mueller, brotherin- law and sister-in-law Dennis and Michelle Souza, brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Carol Souza, and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces.
Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to your favorite charity in memory of our husband, dad, son, brother and grandfather Gary Brizzee.
Services will be held on Friday, October 14, 2022, Rosary at 10:30, Mass at 11:00, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
