Obituary of Gary Wayne Musolino

MUSOLINO, Gary Wayne (Mussy/Julio) – 74, Halifax, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in the QE II Hospital. Gary was born at home on Dentith Road on April 30, 1951, in Halifax, to the late Angelo and Alvina (Smith) Musolino.

Gary was a working man at an early age after vocational school in 1970, starting out at local gas stations, the family greenhouse, Volvo and various roles HRM for 33 years (transfer station, public works and his favourite, supervisor of cemeteries), all while owning and operating the family Florist (Alvina Nurseries). Upon retirement, he was a snowbird in the winter months (loved travelling and warm beach experiences with loved ones in the past or more recently with Paula, in Florida, Arizona, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, St. Lucia, Cruises +++). He took various campground jobs throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan, from spring to fall. Later, he also worked temporarily as the supervisor/operator of the Horn Hill transfer station in Red Deer County, Alberta, as he could not stay away from junking/picking through the waste for those hidden gems.

Oh, the stories recollected from close family and friends who indicated Gary was such a proud man and the best father to Suzanne Musolino, whom he somewhat raised as the son he didn’t have (Tom Boy). Suzanne was taught to do things men do, but also what women of the family were responsible for. He was very proud of her accomplishments and education. Gary was a great provider, a character/jokester/trickster/teaser with such sarcastic wit. He had a quick mind and a fantastic way of finding “the funny” in all situations. He was admired by so many for his kindness, his stories (which he often embellished), friendship, willingness to help and get involved in whatever task came his way (building camps, roofing a house, decking, putting up fencing, painting and working on cars, and especially telling you how to do it all). He was known during building activities to drive 5 spikes, where the norm was to drive two. Payment could have been simply Oreo Cookies, his favourite junk food. He was a jack of all trades/handyman and liked shiny things and motorized vehicles with associated play time and/or road trips. He owned dune-buggies, bikes (old Yamaha 100 twin motor bike), ATVs and cool cars (being so proud of his old chevy with painted 07 on the door). He loved living on Moody Lake and all lake sports, fishing, biking, and camping in the woods. He loved hunting but was known to get more blisters than he did prey.

Gary took pride in his family, homes, landscaping and gardening activities. He was terrible at sports and an awkward skater who was often heckled by friends for his lack of technique. He loved to raise animals such as rabbits, chickens, pigs and roosters. He had compassion to some extent as shown when he and Janice requested that Suzanne, crack a chicken from an egg, as it was alive and having difficulty cracking through the hard shell. This chicken lived, was named Lucky, and was raised in the house and became a rooster who ruled the house and yard. Gary’s biggest fear was SPIDERS! He would often wake his daughter up to go save him from the spider in his bathroom, as she killed nothing and saved everything. Gary’s other passions included watching  Suzanne, play all sports and sea doo racing. Often yelling out in the crowd, “Give her the Hook”. He loved sitting in his La-Z-Boy chair with his best friend Finnegan (cat) and watching the Oak Island Inn (TV show), as he was engulfed in the story and hope of finding treasure. For the last few years, Gary was attempting to write a book on stories of the cemeteries. He was so proud of his knowledge /experiences and had many stories, such as of ghosts, spooky encounters, meeting families of the lost during the Titanic tragedy, those lost in war, and unnamed graves, etc. Suzanne and common-law wife, Paula, intend to complete his book or books for publishing. Gary had a busy but joyful life, even though it was cut short on this late December day.

Gary was predeceased by his first daughter, whom he named Lisa Stephanie Musolino, who passed away at birth; by his father, Angelo Musolino; mother, Alvina Musolino; uncle, John Musolino; brothers,  Angelo Jr (Angie), Darrell, Eugene and Randall Musolino; and other family members and friends that expired too soon.

Gary is survived by his wife, Janice Musolino; his daughter, Suzanne Musolino; his common law spouse, Paula Musolino, step-son (Jonathan Russell), sister Doreen Archibald, sister Michele Musolino; God Son, Josh Gilfoy; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to J.A. Walker Funeral Home for his cremation. His wishes were no sad funerals and his ashes to remain in the loving hands of Paula, until such time as her death, where Gary will be released to his daughter Suzanne  to be buried at the grave site on Sussex Street, in Spryfield,  to finally be with his daughter Lisa and other pre-deceased family members.

In lieu of a funeral, the family intends to have a celebration of life in the spring or early summer of 2026 for close family and friends. Donations can be made in Gary’s honour to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. The immediate family would like to extend special thanks to all the doctors and nurses at the QE II hospital, floor 6.4, friends and close family members for their support, devotion and compassion through this hard time.