By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Looking around the commons area at Oxford Middle School Saturday, it’s hard to believe there was anyone who didn’t know Daryne Andrew Gailey.
An estimated 400 to 450 people attended a memorial service for Gailey, who was killed in his Oxford Township home on Nov. 23.
‘We know Daryne would be thrilled to see such an incredible turnout in celebration of his life,? said his brother-in-law Seth Wagner, who delivered Gailey’s eulogy. ‘He was so fortunate to have so many friends who truly served as an extension of his family.?
A 2003 Oxford High School graduate and a full-time clerk at the Kroger grocery store in Lake Orion for 15 years, Gailey was an extremely popular guy, beloved and befriended by all who were fortunate enough to encounter him.
‘Once you talked to him, he was your friend,? said former OHS Principal Mike Schweig. ‘Everybody knew him.?
People were instantly drawn to Gailey because of his ever-present smile, his warmth and his ‘unshakeable optimism,? as Wagner put it.
‘He could see the bright side of every situation,? Wagner said.
‘We all know Daryne faced many challenges and some disappointments, but he never allowed that to define him,? said Jack Kobliska, who was like an uncle to Gailey. ‘In fact, he’s an inspiration to us all.?
‘He had his struggles in life, but he was just a happy-go-lucky kid,? said Kathy Hubbard, who was Gailey’s boss at Kroger for seven years. ‘You think of Daryne, you think of a smile.?
His sister, Carly Gailey, said he had the ‘innate ability to see the best in everyone he met.?
Described by Wagner as ‘a gentle giant? with a ‘sweet, tender disposition,? Gailey loved to help people, whether they were his co-workers and customers at Kroger or his friends and family.
‘Daryne would offer a helping hand and a hopeful perspective,? Wagner said.
‘I could ask him to do anything and he would do it,? Hubbard said.
‘He was always there to help you, no matter what,? said Derrek Gallo, a 2002 OHS graduate and friend of Gailey’s for more than 10 years.
‘If you were down and needed reassurance and a listening ear, Daryne was there,? Carly Gailey said. ‘If you were at a party and needed a dance partner, Daryne was there with all of his best moves . . . Whenever possible, Daryne seized the opportunity to make the lives of those around him a little better.?
Gailey truly cared about others. He always wanted to know how a person was doing and inquired about their family.
‘With him, it wasn’t a passing comment,? Schweig said. ‘He would focus on you for the whole time that he talked with you. He was so genuine.?
‘He was just a pure soul,? said friend Peggy Bartz. ‘The best thing we could do to remember him is when people go to Kroger, they need to talk to each other, ask how everyone is doing and show concern.?
His absence at the Lake Orion Kroger is definitely being felt, especially by those who fondly recalled how he would loudly call out their name from clear across the store whenever they walked in.
‘After his passing, I walked into Kroger and it just wasn’t the same,? Hubbard said.
‘I think it will be a very, very long time, if ever, that we will walk into that Kroger without thinking of Daryne and remembering that he always greeted us with a big smile,? Kobliska said.
When he wasn’t working, Gailey enjoying camping, riding all-terrain vehicles, dancing and attending celebrations.
Motor vehicles, particularly trucks, were his passion since he was a young boy.
‘He loved giving anyone who would listen advice on what their future vehicle would be,? Wagner said.
Gailey was obsessed with ‘anything that involved keys, wheels or a motor,? according to Wagner, and he loved spending countless hours with his dad either tinkering in the garage or tracking down parts.
Those who knew Gailey are certain they’ll ‘never meet another human being who received such pleasure? from reading the Kelly Bluebook and auto parts catalogs? or who could ‘talk about trucks for an entire 10-hour car trip.?
As much as Gailey loved everything auto-related, his priorities shifted gears when his daughter Charley Lillian Hendrick was born in April of this year.
‘His daughter was the love of his life and he was so proud to show her off,? Wagner said.
Gailey was constantly telling people about her and showing the latest photos on his cell phone.
‘You could tell Charley was the center of his world,? Gallo said. ‘I can still remember him coming over and telling me he was going to be a dad. He had a big smile on his face.?
Charley was found dead the same time as Daryne in the home.
‘Daryne and his daughter are now in a place where they’re always going to be happy,? Hubbard said.
Oxford resident Daryne Gailey and his daughter,
Charley Lillian Hendrick during happier times.