Sitcom Director & Producer Gary Menteer 1939-2016 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-24-2016, 04:32 PM

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November 21, 1939 - January 18, 2016 Peacefully in hospital on Monday, January 18, 2016, Gary (Gars) Menteer, of Rancho Mirage, passed away with family and friends by his side. Beloved son of the late William and Francis Menteer. Predeceased by his brother David and his sister Sandy. Beloved husband and soulmate of Joseph (Joe) Cvar. Special companion to Jack Twist, his beloved dog. Special uncle to David, Lisa, Diana, Lauri and Tara.

At the age of 16, Gary left Texas and moved to New York City where his exceptional talents landed him a role in the original production of The Music Man on Broadway. After that, Gary was chosen by Desilu Studios to train in Hollywood. In the following years, Gary found a lot of work, not only in television, but in film. He appeared in many great musical films, including: The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Funny Lady, Bye Bye Birdie, Finian's Rainbow, Inside Daisy Clover, Hello Dolly, and Mary Poppins. Gary also performed in many musical variety shows such as: The Judy Garland Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Julie Andrews Hour.

Through the following decades, Gary enjoyed a fulfilling career as a choreographer, writer, director, and producer to distinguished acclaim in Hollywood and New York. Some notable television shows he worked on include: Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Punky Brewster, and Family Matters. But above all, Gary was a wonderful, kind, generous man full of great humor and fun. A man of great integrity who was loved and will be missed by many people. We are all blessed to have known him.

His husband Joe, family and friends would like to thank the incredible doctors and nurses at Eisenhower Memorial Hospital in Rancho Mirage for all their compassionate care. Funeral arrangements provided by Forest Lawn, Cathedral City will be private, per Gary's request. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Bring your thoughts, prayers and fondest memories of Gary. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter or to Eisenhower Medical Center Hospital of Rancho Mirage. Condolences and tributes may be made at tributes.com.

Zoneboy · 01-24-2016, 04:33 PM

Gary Menteer IMDb

bh7812 · 01-28-2016, 12:39 AM

I thought I recognized his name from Family Matters and Happy Days! RIP Mr. Menteer! He lived the kind of life we should all wish for...doing what you love and he did it from a very early age too! Did great work on Family Matters and Happy Days specifically I thought. I didn't remember him doing work on Punky Brewster when I initially read the obit but I do remember seeing his name there now too. Wow. A big Director name from some big sitcoms gone.

01-24-2016, 04:32 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,416	Sitcom Director & Producer Gary Menteer 1939-2016 Link November 21, 1939 - January 18, 2016 Peacefully in hospital on Monday, January 18, 2016, Gary (Gars) Menteer, of Rancho Mirage, passed away with family and friends by his side. Beloved son of the late William and Francis Menteer. Predeceased by his brother David and his sister Sandy. Beloved husband and soulmate of Joseph (Joe) Cvar. Special companion to Jack Twist, his beloved dog. Special uncle to David, Lisa, Diana, Lauri and Tara. At the age of 16, Gary left Texas and moved to New York City where his exceptional talents landed him a role in the original production of The Music Man on Broadway. After that, Gary was chosen by Desilu Studios to train in Hollywood. In the following years, Gary found a lot of work, not only in television, but in film. He appeared in many great musical films, including: The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Funny Lady, Bye Bye Birdie, Finian's Rainbow, Inside Daisy Clover, Hello Dolly, and Mary Poppins. Gary also performed in many musical variety shows such as: The Judy Garland Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Julie Andrews Hour. Through the following decades, Gary enjoyed a fulfilling career as a choreographer, writer, director, and producer to distinguished acclaim in Hollywood and New York. Some notable television shows he worked on include: Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Punky Brewster, and Family Matters. But above all, Gary was a wonderful, kind, generous man full of great humor and fun. A man of great integrity who was loved and will be missed by many people. We are all blessed to have known him. His husband Joe, family and friends would like to thank the incredible doctors and nurses at Eisenhower Memorial Hospital in Rancho Mirage for all their compassionate care. Funeral arrangements provided by Forest Lawn, Cathedral City will be private, per Gary's request. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Bring your thoughts, prayers and fondest memories of Gary. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter or to Eisenhower Medical Center Hospital of Rancho Mirage. Condolences and tributes may be made at tributes.com.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-24-2016, 04:33 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,416	Gary Menteer IMDb

01-28-2016, 12:39 AM	#3
bh7812 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 21, 2005 Posts: 272	I thought I recognized his name from Family Matters and Happy Days! RIP Mr. Menteer! He lived the kind of life we should all wish for...doing what you love and he did it from a very early age too! Did great work on Family Matters and Happy Days specifically I thought. I didn't remember him doing work on Punky Brewster when I initially read the obit but I do remember seeing his name there now too. Wow. A big Director name from some big sitcoms gone.