Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Gary B. Paterni, 61, of Waterloo, formerly of New York City and Sioux City, passed away on June 28, 2026, at Northcrest Specialty Care in Waterloo.
He was born on August 27, 1964, in Waterloo, the son of Larry and Jean Angus Paterni. Gary graduated from North High School in Sioux City. He served with honor in the U.S. Army Airborne as a parachute rigger.
Gary had a very adventurous lifestyle that he enjoyed to its fullest. As a child, Gary enjoyed summers on the farm with his paternal grandparents. After his service in the Army, Gary became a certified offshore oilfield diver and worked as an underwater welder in New Orleans. After returning to Sioux City, Gary rode RAGBRAI numerous times and met several friends from New York City along the way. He not only joined Team Escape From New York, but also moved to New York City for many years. Gary was blessed to have many friends there who became his NYC family. He then moved back to Iowa in 2014 to be closer to family here. Over the years, Gary continued to enjoy woodworking, fly fishing (with an extensive collection of flies he hand-tied himself), and riding his bicycle.
Gary is survived by his sisters, Sherry Deen Sanderson of Tripoli, and Sara (Matt) Determan of Sioux City; stepmother, Sally Paterni, also of Sioux City; step siblings, Liz (Phil) Jonas, Cindy Smith, and Kurt Smith, all of Sioux City; uncles, Dennis Roberts of Cedar Falls, Stan Paterni of Cedar Falls, and Chuck Heene of Waterloo; cousins, Brian (Erin) Roberts of Denver, Saunja Mildensein of Lincoln City, OR, Tamara (Steven) Cline of Strasburg, CO, and Jennifer (Adam) Reiter of Cedar Falls; nieces and nephews Eran (Sachiyo) Buck of Yokosuka, Japan, Machalah (Shawn) Phelps of Tripoli, Kyle Jonas, Bryce Jonas, Christian Mckewon, Connor Mckewon, Addison Determan all of Sioux City, and Courtney Smith-Hernandez and Kelsey Smith-Hernandez, of Ames; as well as two great-nephews, Ian and Andrew Buck of Japan, and two great-nieces, Marleigh and Ellery Phelps of Tripoli.
He is preceded in death by his parents as well as many other beloved family members and friends.
Memorial services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026, Locke Garden View Chapel, 3655 Logan Ave, with inurnment in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Military rites by Waterloo American Legion #138 and Iowa Army National Guard Funeral Honor Guard. Family will gather in the Community Room at Pizza Ranch in Cedar Falls after the service; anyone is welcome to join. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Locke Garden View Chapel is assisting the family. Locke Garden View Chapel, 319-232-2222.
Memorial Service
July 6, 2026
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Locke Garden View Chapel
3655 Logan Ave., Waterloo, IA
I met Gary on RAGBRAI and always enjoyed his company and the laughs we shared. When he moved to Rockaway it his friendship closer to home. He always had that winning smile ready when greeted you. Sweet guy. Rest easy.
My Friend.
Gary was an amazing man. I met him when he had just gotten out of the army. I was 15 and best friends with his cousin Tamara.. He was a made such an impression and always made me laugh.I saw him several times after that through his family. He was always kind and respectful and treated me like family. I am thankful that I will see Gary in Heaven one day. You are one of the kindest men I knew and the World is a lesser place because you are not in it.
Garry was a good friend. He was one of a kind. He had a very unique sense of humor. I enjoyed several years of riding with him on RAGBRAI. He was always there. If you needed a helping hand, you will be missed my condolences to his family. Rest in peace God bless.
I’ve known GARY over 30 years. I met him on RAGBRAI when his teammate Joe Gormally flipped me. We became best buds.
I went out to New York one year to hear my mom and her church group singing in Carnegie Hall. I stayed with him for a weekend in Rockaway. We hung out with the crew at the local pub. He was one of the kindest sweetest human beings I’ve ever known. Always had a smile that could brighten up any room. Lost touch with him for a number of years and reconnected several years ago. I remember visiting him after I had to make a trip to Mayo Clinic for health issues. We spent the day reminiscing about RAGBRAI. I treated him to lunch at his favorite Mexican place. We called and texted one another numerous times over the last several years. I remember him calling me and feeling really concerned for his well-being. I called ALEX TIMLIN and asked him to get a hold of Moran to reach out to him. He must’ve known then that he was declining.
I know GARY had a rough life, but I thank God that he put him in my life!
See you in heaven buddy… Keep pulling that draft line and I’ll be the one waving as I try to catch up.
Love you buddy he’ll always be in my heart❣️
I first met Gary in late July of 2001 while in Iowa for the first of my 6 RAGBRAIS. I found Gary very down to earth and immediately took a liking to him. When I think back on my most memorable rides across Iowa, Gary was usually a part of them whether we were in a group or just the two of us. Gary was a very accomplished rider and being ten years younger always pushed me to my limits. I am definitely a much better rider due to these rides with Gary.i witnessed Gary’s devotion to family when he asked our Escape New York group to stop by his grandmother’s senior care facility which was on that day’s route. We took a group photo and grandma was all smiles after being a center of attention. Gary so enjoyed his new found NYC friends that he moved to Rockaway, NY. Gary became a regular part of the NY crew. We celebrated Gary’s 50th BD with him, a surprise party at The Wharf , a popular Rockaway bar on Jamaica Bay with unobstructed views of the Manhattan Skyline. Gary was truly touched by occasion the smile never receding. The Rockaway years deepened our friendship with Gary. A short time ago Gary , now back in Iowa, reached out to many of his NY friends. In retrospect he probably new his time was running out and he wanted to have a last conversation via these phone calls.I am honored to have been one of the friends Gary contacted.Ironicalky Gary left us at the age of 61, the same age my dad and younger brother ( also a Gary) passed away. I’m sure when I’m doing future bike rides that I’ll remember rides and times with Gary, and that will bring a smile to my face. I’ll hope he’s with me in sprit and I’ll pick the pace up in his honor.I trust that Gary is in that proverbial better place and that we will meet there in the future. I thank Gary for making me a better rider, the shared good times and his friendship. RIP brother.
Saddened to her about Gary’s passing. Wa room mates with for for a few years in Sioux City and some several RAGBRAI’s with him. He was a good friend.
Saddened to hear the news of Gary’s passing, He was a good friend with a heart of gold, a talented guy always willing to help, no matter the project from fixing a bike to paving a patio. I will always have great memories of the time I spent with him at Ragbrai, and in Rockaway. God Bless, he will be missed.
My Friend. Gary was a very good man. He did not have an easy life
but he made the most of it. His mom died when Gary was very always told him to be himself. He loved her dearly and you could see it on his face when he spoke of her. When he first came to NY he stayed with me for about a month. Possibly the greatest roommate ever. He was as strong as an ox, an incredible cyclist and so talented in so many areas of construction. Rest in Peace my Friend. I will see you in the next town! First bar in the right, unless it’s on the left🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
Gary was a friend who became family to us. Our memories of our time together are so plentiful they could not be properly expressed on this page.
With Love and deep sadness,
Joe, Kimkaye, Kaysea, and Jojo