Gary A. Soucie, 87

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Gary A. Soucie, 87, writer, editor, environmentalist, and resident of Williamstown, MA, died in hospice care on Nov. 22, 2024. 

Gary passed away from lymphoma chemotherapy complications after a 34-year-long battle with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Born in Kankakee, IL, in 1937, to Marie Cleo (White) Soucie and Adelore Joseph Soucie, Gary developed a passion for the natural world as well as a devotion to letters and seeking knowledge. In 1955, he enrolled in the United States Air Force Academy to be part of its first graduating class. After deciding a military career wasn't for him, he entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor of arts in comparative literature in 1961. The following year, as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, he did postgraduate studies in comparative literature at Indiana University Bloomington.

An early leader in the environmental movement of the 1960s, Gary was the Eastern representative for the Sierra Club from 1966 to 1968. After cofounding Friends of the Earth with David Brower and Donald Aitken, he served as its first executive director (1969–1971).

While at Friends of the Earth, Gary cofounded and chaired the Coalition Against the SST, which successfully lobbied for termination of the commercial supersonic transport program. He was vice chairman of the League of Conservation Voters from 1969 to 1973 and later served on the steering committee (1979 –1983).

Gary was a gifted writer and editor. From 1971 to 1978, he freelanced from his home in Norfolk, Conn. He then moved to New York City and served for thirteen years as executive editorof AUDUBON, the magazine of the National Audubon Society. In 1992, he was on the senior editorial staff of National Geographic in Washington, DC. Gary continued freelancing and was editor of other publications including American Angler and Contemporary Surgery. He wrote eight books, notably "Hook, Line, and Sinker: The Complete Angler's Guide to Terminal Tackle" (1983) and "Woolly Wisdom" (2005). His books are still considered essential resources for anglers of all stripes.

Gary loved all things fishing. He enjoyed casting into the trout streams of Vermont and Massachusetts, saltwater fishing off Long Island, and traveling the world on fishing adventures. Avid birders, Gary and his wife Marina Brodskaya were involved with many local birding groups, participating in Christmas and migratory raptor counts. He often quizzed his daughters about the birds they saw, doling out points he said would pay out "nothing but the satisfaction of knowledge." Gary played drums in jazz bands during his college years and beyond. Although he said he played drums "adequately if not with inspiration," Gary was particularly proud of jamming with jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery at the Missile Room in Indianapolis. His extraordinary knowledge and love of jazz were passed on to all who were interested or would listen.

Gary maintained life-long friendships with many colleagues and associates from his long varied professional life. His email list of fellow writers, editors, environmentalists, jazz aficionados, and old Air Force Academy buddies—--his posse, fan club, or enclave depending on whom you talked to—was wrangled into discussion, regaled with anecdotes, and drawn into well- researched debates on politics, birding, jazz musicians, fishing, and countless other topics.

Gary's impact on their work and life paths continued until his death, and his friends now remark that they don't know what they will do without Gary's frequent emails.

A true Renaissance man, Gary will be remembered by his family and friends for his encyclopedic memory, deep and wide cultural expertise, mentorship of fellow writers, and fondness for rousing debate. He is survived by his wife Marina; his three daughters and son-in-law, Shenli Soucie Wong, Donald Wong, and Pamela Soucie Starr, of California, and Juliette Holmes Soucie of New York City; his grandson, Samuel Starr; and his nieces and nephew, Liz Marczak Madsen, Wendy Marczak Sorensen, and Scott Soucie.

Gary did not want a funeral or formal memorial service. In lieu of flowers or other tributes, please consider donating in his name to the International Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (www.iwmf.com) or The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org)