Obituary of Gary Wiltsey

Gary Lee Wiltsey of Beach Park, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 16, 2023. He was 78 years old.

Gary was born on October 8, 1944, in Milwaukee, WI to the late Howard Ellsworth Wiltsey and Gertrude (Cullip) Wiltsey. He was a 1962 graduate of Washington Park High School, Racine, WI, and earned a bachelor’s degree in data processing at Parkside University, Kenosha, WI in 1972. He owned and operated Camera Masters Portrait Studio in Racine, WI from 1985 to 2010. Over those 25 years, he photographed more than 25,000 sessions, leaving behind a legacy of happy memories for many families. Before owning his own business, he was a photographer/manager for Pechman Studios in Appleton, WI. His early career was in data processing with Abbott Labs in Illinois, and J.I. Case Co. in Racine, WI.  Gary served on the Wisconsin Professional Photographers Association (WPPA) Board of Directors from 1978 to 2005, serving as the WPPA President in 1988. He earned numerous awards for his contributions to the WPPA, including the National Award from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) in 1990. He was proud to have earned his photographic master’s degree (for his photography) and Craftsman degree (for teaching nationwide). Another accomplishment he was very proud of was being inducted into the Wisconsin Photographers Hall of Fame in 2005, a very prestigious honor. 

He was known for his love for the stars. He was well versed with the night sky and enjoyed viewing the heavens with his telescope. He served as Treasurer for the Racine Astronomical Society. Gary also enjoyed playing golf, watching football, auto shows/racing, and spending time with his grandchild. He was quite the handyman, like his engineer father, and had to “Wiltsey-ize” everything. He was a loving husband and father who cared deeply for those around him. 

Gary is survived by his wife, Sue (Templeton) Wiltsey, her two daughters, Amy Seegobin and Tracy Viramontes (Jakob) both of Kenosha, WI, and grandchildren Ayden, Conner, Isabella, Amar, Avin, and Maya; daughter Nickole Wefler (Matt) of Racine, WI, and grandson, Bentley; daughter Lisa Essi of Gurnee, IL, and Alexandra Scott (Jeremy Roberts) of Alexandria, VA; brothers, Ron Wiltsey (Sue) of Vancouver, WA; Paul Wiltsey (Vicki) of Florissant, MO; Jeff Wiltsey of Waukesha, WI; and sister Deb Gilmore (Dave) of Tempe, AZ; plus, numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Visitation will be held Monday June 26, 2023 at Congdon Funeral Home 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, Illinois 60099 from 4 to 6p.m. Followed by a Memorial Service at 6p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Racine Astronomical Society.