Service Details

Calvary Church of the Valley
6107 N Invergordon Road
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
www.calvarychurchofthevalley.org
Service will begin at 3:00 PM.

Funeral Company

In lieu of flowers, a Chase bank account has been established to help the family with unexpected medical expenses. If you would like to donate, please contact Greg LaMonica or Pastor Bill Mautino for account details. Thank you

The Story

Gary Lee LaMonica was born in Dover, Ohio to Ross LaMonica and Irma Polilli LaMonica on September 12, 1939. He lived more than 30 years of his life in Northeastern Ohio, graduating from St. Joseph's Catholic High School in Dover where he played football and served as an altar boy. Gary has attended many class reunions and stayed in touch with several people from his graduating class throughout his entire life.

Gary went on to attend college at Kent State University, graduating with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Experimental Psychology. While still in college, Gary met and married Sandra Faysash. It was not long before they became the parents of twin boys, Gregory Ross and Jeffrey Scott.

Gary was employed for more than 25 years in the defense industry beginning with Goodyear Aerospace which later became Loral Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin. It was this employment with Goodyear that relocated Gary to Arizona in the mid-1970's.

Gary's passion for hunting and the outdoors that began as boy in Ohio expanded over many years in Arizona and became one of the major themes of his Life. Gary was an avid member of the Arizona Varmint Callers Association and later served as president of The Arizona Wildlife Foundation. Many sunny days and starry nights were enjoyed in the beautiful Arizona mountains with good friends and family.

Gary would tell you that the most important event of his life occurred when, as an adult, he found the love of a Savior and committed his life to following Jesus Christ. Much of his energy has since been spent in the service of his Lord: caring for people, working in various capacities in the church and proclaiming God's message of salvation. After retirement, Gary was led to a missionary calling and spent several years working overseas. It was while attending a conference in Hungary that Gary met and fell in love with Nataliya Bannikova. Although her home was in the Ukraine, Nataliya agreed to become his wife and accompany him on an adventure that would take them to Spain, Morocco, Sicily and eventually back to Arizona where they have built a happy life together in the United States. Together they attended Calvary Church of the Valley in Paradise Valley, where they have many good friends and frequent fellowship.

Gary is survived by his wife Nataliya Bannikova and her grandson Yan who has lived with them. Gary's son Greg and his wife Peggi live in Ahwatukee and their three children are Lauren Anderson, Aaron LaMonica-Weier, and Jeremy LaMonica. Gary's son Jeff lives in Alexander City, Alabama with his wife Natalie and his step-sons son Jarrod and JT. Gary sister Rebecca lives in Tucson, Arizona and his brother Lew Gerrick is still in Ohio with his wife Victoria and other extended family members.