Gary W. Siler, who taught at Harford Technical High School where he also coached the school's award winning wrestling team, ended his life Friday at his Street home. He was 58.
The son of James Darrion Siler, a Black & Decker worker, and Phyllis Jean Walden Siler, a homemaker, Gary Wayne Siler was born in Havre de Grace and raised in Bel Air, where he graduated in 1974 from Bel Air High School.
He served in the Army from 1975 to 1978 as a tank driver in Laos and Cambodia. He was discharged in 1978 with the rank of E-4 and remained active in the Army Reserves until 1981.
Mr. Siler learned masonry from a brother, Jeffrey D. Siler, who died in 2001.
After being certified in education and teaching from the University of Maryland, College Park, Mr. Siler joined the faculty of Harford Technical High School in 1988, where he served as an instructor in masonry and landscaping.
During his Army days, Mr. Siler wrestled and boxed, and he began coaching Harford Technical High School's wrestling team. Through the years he brought many scholastic and athletic championships to the school.
In 2012, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame where he received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award.
"He was the first coach to bring a county conference, regional and state title to Harford Technical High School," said his wife of eight 8 years, the former Amy Mills, a Realtor.
In addition to wrestling, he also coached baseball, football, softball and golf.
In 1997, Mr. Siler was named Maryland Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Vocational Association, and the next year, the association presented him its Educator of the Year Award.
He was an assistant coach of the Maryland Black Ice softball team in Cockeysville, where a daughter was a team member.
Mr. Siler, who enjoyed nature and being outdoors, liked to hike. He was also a bird watcher and was interested in snakes. In the early 1990s, he was involved with the old Susquehanna Environmental Center.
"He was also a big fan of Delaware beaches," said his wife.
He attended Oak Grove Baptist Church, 2106 Churchville Road, in Bel Air, where funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Siler is survived by his two daughters, Tori Morgan Siler, 14, a student at Harford Technical High School, and Kaylee Madison Siler, 13, a student at North Harford Middle School; his father, who lives in Street; and two brothers, Ricky D. Siler of Street and James S. Siler of York, Pa.