Gary Joe Tofil

Gary was born in San Francisco, but lived most of his life in Indianapolis where he attended Cathedral High School. He was a star quarterback on their championship football team, but he also excelled in basketball and track. Gary was always a team leader in high school, and as class president he was a leader off the field as well. Gary received numerous recognitions for his excellence in athletics. Among them: All Central Indiana Football, All America Team, and chosen as one of the top 50 players in Indiana. Following high school, Gary attended the Air Force Academy Prep School, and was named 1963 Athlete of the Year. He transferred to Indiana University, starting three years on the varsity football team, and lettering in basketball, all while completing a B.S. degree in Business. After several Pro Football offers, Gary signed with the Baltimore Colts in 1969, although early injuries cut short his NFL career. Gary served his country as a jet fighter pilot. After graduating pilot training with top honors, he flew the F-100 Super Sabre for the Indiana Air National Guard. Though he loved flying, he had an even greater calling, to serve as guardian for his three younger siblings following the death of their parents, and so he set aside his passion for flying, and left the Air National Guard in 1977 to take on the duty and committment of serving as guardian to his younger siblings. Gary worked much of his life as a stockbroker and received many "top industry" awards. He retired in 2011. For all who knew him, Gary was a larger than life man, a friend to all, and an amazing brother. He will be greatly and deeply missed.