PORTSMOUTH, RI (formerly of Barre, MA) - Gary Arthur Miknaitis, 68, passed away in his home on August 27, 2026. He was born in Ware, MA on November 2, 1957, son of the late Stanley L. and Dorothy (Vinskey) Miknaitis.

Gary was a 1976 graduate of Quabbin Regional High School in Barre, MA. Gary entered the workforce when he was approximately 7 years old as a paperboy delivering the Worcester Telegram newspapers on foot and later as the route expanded, he pedaled his bicycle making the paper deliveries. As a teen, he also worked a short time for Either's Market in Barre Plains, a place where as a kid he would frequent with siblings to buy penny candy, chips, a soda, or just a sweet cupcake. After graduation, he enlisted in the U S Navy and climbed aboard the USS Sellers, the USS Connole, the USS Kauffman, and the USS Jesse L. Brown while based out of Charlotte, SC, where he sailed throughout the world for the next 20 years with his shipmates until his retirement in 1996. Gary then relocated to Portsmouth, RI where he worked for the next 26 years at the Navy Exchange in Newport retiring in July of 2021. He also had dabbled with being a DJ playing tunes by request, the oldies, the greatest hits, you name it he played it, which made him the music man for family gatherings. He then decided that he still wanted to continue working so he worked part-time as a bus monitor for the Ocean State Transit in Middletown until the time of his death.

Gary (aka Rink) enjoyed spending time in his backyard feeding the wildlife where he had created his very own little zoo with critters such as squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, woodchucks, skunks, as well as song birds, ducks, seagulls, turkeys, etc. - keep in mind that they were fed watermelon, cantaloupe, peanuts, in addition to bird seeds, he even had some raccoons that were even hand fed dog biscuits - they sure knew where the good food was and they are all going to miss him.

Gary never married, but had gained many friendships where he was considered as part of their families - he was even given new names from the different groups such as Marty, Murray, and George - he truly appreciated everything you all did for him - you were all his second third, and fourth families. To all that may not actually have been part of the above groups, but had made a friendship with him rest assured that he also considered you as part of his family too.

He leaves his brothers Stanley Miknaitis and his wife Cathy of Barre, MA, Roger Miknaitis and his wife Shelley of Concord, NH, Michael Miknaitis and his wife Keri of Holden, MA, his sister Eileen White and her husband Herbert of Templeton, MA, his brother-in-law George McQueston in Conroe, TX, his brother-in-law William Ripley of Barre, MA as well as several nieces and nephews, several great nieces and great nephews, and his beloved cat Papi. Gary was predeceased by his sisters Kathleen McQueston and his twin Wendy Ripley.

A cremation was made at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.

A service with military honors will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church, 4 Ludlow Terrace, in Middletown, RI on Saturday, September 19, 2026 beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life. Gary's ashes will be scattered at sea with military honors.

Whereas Gary had his own wild critters, a fondness of Snoopy, and with his cat, Papi being rescued by Potter League for Animals the family requests that donations be made in Gary's memory to the Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842.