Gary Wayne Prosper

Gary Wayne Prosper, 85, of Fountain Hills passed away peacefully on Jan. 9, 2021, after complications due to longstanding heart disease, which was non-COVID related.

Gary was born in Massena, N.Y., to Joseph and Blanche (Gratton) Prosper on June 18, 1935 and graduated from Massena High School in 1953, excelling in both academics and athletics.

After graduating, he had a brief stint at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., then joined the military in 1954, spending time in Korea and being discharged in 1956.

Following discharge, he married the love of his life, MaryEllen Faucher, had son, Andy, and daughter, Tracie, attended Clarkson College in Potsdam, N.Y., graduated SUNY at Potsdam with a degree in education, then taught high school math for six years at Massena High School. He was an active skier and was on the Lake Placid ski patrol, played semi-pro football and coached his son’s hockey teams.

He went on to attend the University of Maine and later graduated from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, earning a Master’s of Combined Science and EdD in Secondary Education Administration.

In 1971, the family moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., where he took the position of assistant superintendent of Flagstaff Public School District for 10 years. While in Flagstaff, he made many lifelong friends, enjoyed hunting, fishing at Lees Ferry, officiating high school football, tennis, cutting firewood, playing poker with his buddies, finding the perfect Christmas tree, and especially being involved in his kids’ many sporting activities.

In 1980, he retired his skis and snow shovel and moved to Fountain Hills, where he became principal/superintendent of Fountain Hills School District. He then moved on to Arizona State University as director of support services before returning to public education administration as principal of Anderson Junior High School in Chandler.

Following retirement, Gary stayed active in education, teaching math at the community college level and was as a hearing officer for the Scottsdale school district.

Gary was an avid fisherman and would drive cross-country many summers with his beloved Golden Retriever, Sam, to fish the St. Lawrence River in Massena, N.Y. He loved all things sports, especially ASU, and a day without a cigar meant he must be sick. The highlight of every year was Christmas Day with the entire family around the table having a part singing “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, MaryEllen Faucher Prosper, son, Andrew (Sharon) Prosper of Flagstaff; daughter Tracie Prosper Springer of Phoenix; “Papa” to grandsons, Richard (Tina) Ciombor and their children, Alexis and Melinda of Cave Creek, Ariz. and Michael Ciombor, of Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary’s memory to Extended Hands Food Bank, 16548 E. Laser Dr. #6, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 ,or to the charity of your choice.

Due to the current COVID restrictions, a private memorial will be held at a later date.