Gary Louk, 66, Remembered as Avid Fisherman, Friend to Freehold

Freehold Borough resident Gary Louk, 66, died Saturday at CentraState Medical Center. Born in Mingo, W.Va., Louk moved to Freehold 40 years ago. He served in the Freehold Borough Police Department for 14 years and volunteered for the Freehold Borough Recreation Commission.

“Everything we ever did, Gary was in the middle of it,” said Rich Kane, the former director of Freehold Borough Parks & Recreation.

An avid fisherman, Louk would organize fishing derbies for area children. Louk was set to teach a new generation of Freehold children about the joys of fishing on Saturday at . Kane said the competition will be renamed the Gary Louk Memorial Fishing Derby in his honor.

“He’s been so involved over the years. He was so excited to come (to Olde Freehold Day) Saturday,” said Olde Freehold Day Co-Chair Judi Guy.

According to Kane, Louk’s dedication to teaching youth about fishing had its roots in childhood event he never forgot. Louk was using a branch and a string to fish in West Virginia. A older fisherman observed the young man’s interest in the sport and gave Louk his fishing rod. Louk paid forward that kind gesture throughout his life, Kane said.

“He was the kind of guy who always felt the need to give back,” Kane said.

Louk’s first wife, Carolyn Searby Louk, died in 1996. He is survived by his wife, Susan Shea Louk; three sons, Gary B. Louk, Jr. and wife Marisa, Newport News, Va., Ronald Louk, Freehold, and Thomas Louk and wife Mary, Belford; two stepsons, Kenneth Huebsch and his wife Holly, Glen Allen, Va., and Greg Ploch and his wife Kelly, Bath, N.C. ; a stepdaughter, Jennifer Horton, Howell; a brother, Dan Louk; three sisters, Ella Shutzer, Rosemary Lamar, and Annabelle Dean; and five grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held at in Freehold on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with funeral services held Wednesday at noon, following by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Freehold.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall Street, P.O. Box 93, Eatontown, NJ 07724.