I had recently been thinking a lot about Gary and Linda and the great times we had in Springfield Illinois. I am so sorry to hear that Gary has passed away. Reading about his life doesnt surprise me because he was one terrific man. Your family is in my prayers.

I would love to reconnect with Linda. 
My cell phone # is 618-444-4864 

Sincerely,
Beth Ward
 

 On the day of Gary R. Fries' passing, my Facebook came up with a video of the very young Beach Boys rehearsing their harmony for "Wouldn't It be Nice?" It made my hair stand up.

In the 1990's Gary and Linda Fries met us at the Maui airport with a rented red Mustang convertible. We drove the coastline with the wind in our hair and the Beach Boys blasting "Wouldn't it Be Nice?" Our teenage daughter at that time remarked that she so wished she could be there, too, but it would be "SO EMBARRASSING!"

Linda and Gary have been our loving friends since the 1950's, when we were young people falling in love with our spouses-to-be for the next 50+ years. We four were in each other's weddings in 1962 and 1963. The lyrics of the Beach Boys were poignant then, and in Maui in the 1990's, as they are now:

"Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?

Then we wouldn't have to wait so long

And wouldn't it be nice to live together

in the kind of world where we belong.

You know it's gonna make it that much better

When we can say goodnight and stay together

Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up

In the morning when the day is new?

And after having spent the day together

Hold each other close the whole night through."

Gary and Linda had it nice for many, many years together, and we are grateful for that and for our many other memories wherever they lived, wherever we traveled together. Hopefully, one day, Dick and I will remember only the laughter and fun and can share many funny and a few not-so-funny stories with the family now grieving, as are we. Our stories go waaay back, as does our love for Gary and Linda Fries.

Love and deep felt sympathy to all, Ruthie (and Dick)