Gary Gerard Amaral

Gary Gerard Amaral, 63, of Angier, North Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 18 after a valiant battle with colon cancer. Gary was a devoted father, friend, and follower of Christ. Gary was born on January 1, 1963, in Norton, Massachusetts, to Costodio "Casey" and Florence Amaral. His New Year's Day arrival made him Norton's first baby of 1963, a distinction his family fondly remembered. Throughout his childhood, Gary was an athlete and a lover of music, participating in varsity football and basketball, excelling in baseball, and playing the drums in local bands. As the first baseman for the Norton High School Lancers, he helped lead the team to the 1980 Massachusetts state baseball championship, a highlight of his athletic career. After graduating from Norton High School in 1981, Gary went on to study nuclear engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Upon graduating in 1986, he worked at nuclear power plants across the country, including facilities in North Carolina, New England, and the Pacific Northwest. In the early 1990s, Gary made a significant career shift, dedicating himself to the study of chiropractic medicine at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. After completing his studies, he opened a chiropractic clinic in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before moving to Maryland in 2002. Gary's greatest pride and joy were his three children: George, Reagan, and Anabela Amaral. He was a devoted and loving father who cherished every moment he spent with them. Gary was known for his enduring gift of gab, his deep love of cars, and his unwavering devotion to New England sports. Gary was predeceased by his parents, Costodio "Casey" and Florence Amaral. He is survived by his three children, George, Reagan, and Anabela Amaral; his sister, Renee Amaral; and his longtime partner, Lisa Burch. A Funeral Mass celebrating Gary's life will be held on Monday, July 27, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church in Millersville, Maryland. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." — John 16:22