August 29, 1949 �" April 15, 2011
Gary (Garrison) Wayne Powell, occupational therapist, died April 15 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. He was 61 and had been living at Coming Home Hospice.
Gary was born in Hornell, New York on August 29, 1949. He is survived by two brothers: Bob (Hsiao-Ping Moore) of Birmingham, Michigan and Scott (Jane Powell) of Rochester, New York; three nephews: Aaron (Marisa Powell), Collin, and Matthew; two nieces, Jessica Bowen (Mike Bowen) and Amy; and one great niece, Nora.
Gary graduated from the University of Rochester in 1971 and the University of Buffalo in 1976. He was a licensed occupational therapist and was widely known in the Bay Area for his work, which specialized in geriatrics, adolescent autism and Asperger's, and dysphasia. He was active in the Sai Baba Center and a founding member of the Gay Men's Spiritual Retreat. He was a life member of the Thomas Wolfe Society. Throughout his life and career, Gary sought new ways of thinking, experiencing, believing, and loving. These he embraced, and implemented into all aspects of his professional, personal, and spiritual being. This rare man was above all else a healer and giver.
Gary will be interred in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Kane, Pennsylvania. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, May 15 at 3 p.m. at the Sai Baba Center of San Francisco, 573 South Van Ness Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sai Baba Center or the Thomas Wolfe Society, c/o Bob Powell, 1509 Birmingham Boulevard, Birmingham, Michigan 48009-1994.