Gary Lee Sowders, 65, of Fitchburg, MA, passed away at home on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following a period of declining health.

He was born on April 15, 1961 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gary was raised in Concord and graduated from Concord Carlisle High School with the class of 1979. He completed his education at East Coast Aero Tech at Hanscom Air Force Base in 1993, earning a certificate with high honors in the aeronautics maintenance technology program.

Gary worked in international sales and service for a majority of his professional career. This afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively, including to France, Ireland, Australia and The Philippines. Most recently, he was a Project Manager in the field of laser cutting equipment, prior to retiring in 2021.

In his spare time, he enjoyed antique car restorations, playing cards and photography. A sports enthusiast, Gary closely followed the Boston sports teams. In his younger years, he could often be found skiing, golfing, scuba diving and bicycling. He will be missed for his sense of humor, especially his unique way of finding the humor in life’s little quirks.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, Harrison and Dorothy (Sorrenti) Sowders. He was the brother of Frank Thurston and his wife Cathy of Fort Wayne, IN, Ben Sowders and his wife Ellen of Westminster, MA and Laura Nerz and her husband Gregory of Sharon, NH. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews: Jeff Thurston, David Thurston and his wife Teresa, Carrie Niccum and her husband Andrew, Andrew Morgan and his wife Alexandra, Abigail Tibbets and her husband Jeffrey, Ben Sowders and his fiancé Carissa Ciccone, Adam Sowders and his fiancé Kyleigh Fahey, along with several great nieces and great nephews.

Family and friends will gather for a period of visitation at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA on Friday, October 30th from 9:45 to 10:45 am. Gary’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Concord.

Donations in his memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.