Gary W. Hawkes

Gary W. Hawkes, age 83, of Wakefield passed away on December 16, 2025 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. He was born in Melrose on August 7, 1942 and was the son of the late Roy and Janet (Cunha) Hawkes.

Gary was raised and educated in Wakefield, where he fondly remembered his time working at Crystal Pharmacy in Greenwood, which led him to meet his high school sweetheart. He pursued higher education at Northeastern University and earned his bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 104. He had a love of the Boston Red Sox. Gary also had a passion for woodworking, creating cherished items for his family, including a rocking horse and doll house that became treasured gifts for his grandchildren.

Over the years, Gary embarked on a diverse career, owning various companies, notably MarCoff in Wakefield, International Industrial Supply in Lawrence and Continental Lighting Corporation in Hudson, NH and Salem, MA. He dedicated an impressive 50 years of service to Hart's Hardware in Wakefield. Additionally, he took pride in being a Friend of Bill for over 30 years. Gary had a love for the outdoors as a Boy Scout Leader and often hiking and enjoying family trips in their Winnebago.

He was the beloved husband of Mary “Ellie” (Marshall) Hawkes who was the love of his life and just recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. He was the loving father of John H. Hawkes of Wakefield and Mary J. Drab and her husband Keith of Billerica. He was the brother of Harold Hawkes of Melrose, Bruce Hawkes of North Reading and the step-brother of Lora Hillis of Bedford, Nancy Caron of NH, Linda Kay of NH, and the late Joseph Keenom of Melrose, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Jason and Rachael, and one great grandson, Owen.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine/St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. There will be no visitation.

Interment will be private at the Forest Glade Cemetery, Lowell Street, Wakefield, MA. Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital, c/o Boston Children's Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602 | Boston, MA 02215.