Gary Leonard Hancq Sr. (85) long time resident of Port Byron, Illinois passed away peacefully on May 23rd, 2023 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA Per Gary's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. A Celebration of life will be scheduled in the near future. His cremains will be interred next to his daughter, Charissa and wife, Nancy, in St. Mary's Cemetery, Plainfield, IL, during a private service.

Gary was born on December 24th, 1937, in Brooklyn, IA. Gary was united in marriage to Nancy Ann Michalski on January 9, 1960 in LaSalle, IL. Gary grew up in Rock Island, Illinois and after graduating Alleman High School in 1955 went to work for Illinois Bell for 32 years. After retiring from Bell, he taught electronics classes at Joliet Junior college for several years and then worked for MFS Telecom in an engineering capacity before finally retiring in 2004. Gary was a US Army Reserves Veteran and a member of the Joliet Knights of Columbus. Gary was a renaissance man, his interests were broad and varied including Philosophy, poetry, cooking and photography. He was an especially talented engineer mainly interested in HAM Radio, Radio and Telecom electronics. He very much enjoyed being in the outdoors, he was a hunter and fisherman and loved camping trips in the wilderness. Gary spent the last 25 years of his life living on the banks of the Mississippi River which he loved dearly, a childhood dream that he made come true.

Gary is survived by his son, Gary Jr of Port Byron IL, his sister, Colleen "Kay" Moran of Rock Island, sister, Marilyn Brown (Travis) of Taylor Ridge, IL and his brother, Dennis Hancq (DeAnna) of El Mirage, AZ. He is also survived by his grandson, Jeffery Gerard Hancq (Mindy) and their two daughters, Riley and Rebekah of Columbus, Ohio. Gary was preceded in death by his daughter, Charissa Elizabeth Hancq, his mother, Julia Elizabeth Hancq (nee Dappen), his father, Edward D Hancq and his wife, Nancy Carol Ann Hancq (nee Michalski)

Until we meet again, you helped so many and brought joy to all who met you. You will always be in our hearts. Special thanks to the staff of Trinity hospital and the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for taking such good care of our Gary in his final months with us. And a special thank-you to Physicians Assistant, Elena Berthel of Trinity Hospital, Rock Island, for doing so much for Gary and his family in his final week.