Mr. Gary Eley, 81, of Burlington, Vt., passed away on June 16. Mr. Eley died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
He was known by many in the hickory golf world as the consummate club craftsman whose Hickory Golf Workshop was both a solver of problems and a source of first-class materials for the do-it-yourself hickory hobbyist.
He was the minister of All Saints Episcopal Church in South Burlington for 20 years. He especially loved the youth groups, talking with the kids, taking them on camping trips and exposing them to new ideas.
After he left the ministry, he became a CFA and started his own financial investment firm. His first clients were his parishioners. He wanted to provide for their financial security in their retirement years. He was a truly honest man. Friends said of him that he was never known to tell a lie or shade the truth. His word was solid. And he would go out of his way to help people in need.
It was after Mr. Eley sold his business and retired that he began the Hickory Golf Workshop. His craftsmanship was superb and word quickly spread. He often shared articles about his techniques with members of the Society of Hickory Golfers through their website and its printed journal, A Wee Nip. The workshop may have been small, operating from his garage, but it had a worldwide following. Friends say it gave him great joy and purpose in his retirement.
Like many gentlemen, Mr. Eley was fortunate to have a loving family upon whom he doted, especially his grandchildren, Bo and Lane.
He is survived by his wife, Sidney, of 42 years; and three daughters, Sarah, Whitney and Emily; and the two grandchildren. A service is being planned for early August. Email RSVP to ske411@gmail.com.
Gary Eley, left, and Pat Kennedy, work on a lathe in Eley’s workshop. Mr. Kennedy passed away in May 2025.
Mr. Gary Eley is shown in his Hickory Golf Workshop in 2018. He was a consummate craftsman whose work was known for its quality and reliability.