Gary Carl Linarducci, 75, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2025, after a long struggle with cancer. He was comforted in his final days by his extended family and close friends.
Gary was born in 1950, in Newark, New Jersey. A child of Italian immigrants, he was the younger son of Pasquale Linarducci, Jr. and Evelyn (Pennacchio) Linarducci, who preceded him in death. Gary was married for 41 years to Kathleen (Reynolds), who passed away in 2018. He is survived by their children, Patrick Joseph “PJ” (Katherine) of Menlo Park, CA, and Nina (fiancé Matthew Burt) of Landenberg, PA. Gary was the proud Papa of five grandchildren, Carter, Hadley and Riley Linarducci, and Landon and Grace Cowles. Gary also is survived by his loving partner during the last six years, Rosanne Miller; by his brother, Robert (Eileen) of South Orange, NJ; and by his brothers-in law Rick Reynolds (Tammy), Michael Reynolds (Helen), and Mark Reynolds (Peg), and sisters-in-law Joyce Reynolds Joyce (Patrick), and Donna Reynolds Lotierzo (John). In addition, Gary was an uncle to many beautiful nieces and nephews.
Growing up, Gary enjoyed summers at the Jersey Shore. In high school he played football, and was on the wrestling team. He earned a degree in Business at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he met Kathy. Upon graduation they moved to Wilmington and began their life together. Gary was a member of the first graduating class of the Delaware Law School, in 1975. He practiced law for 50 years, beginning as a prosecutor in the Delaware Attorney General’s office. Eventually, Gary moved into private practice, handling civil and criminal cases in all of Delaware’s state and federal courts. In 1979 he started to represent disabled clients, and, over the past 40+ years, he became the preeminent Delaware lawyer handling Social Security disability cases. In annual polls of his colleagues in the bar, Gary was recognized as the “Top Lawyer” in this practice area every year since the category was created.
Outside of his law practice, Gary was very active in the community, devoting his time and leadership to many non-profit organizations, and advocating for educational and environmental causes. He served as a board member of the Red Clay Consolidated School District and the Cab Calloway School of the Arts. He was past president of the Friends of Wilmington Parks, Delaware Greenways, Highlands Community Association, Oak Grove Senior Center, Helen Graham Senior Center, and Bancroft Mills HOA, was Co-Chair of the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway Partnership, and was a member of the boards of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids. Most recently, he was instrumental in the successful effort to rebuild the pedestrian bridge over the Brandywine, in Alapocas State Park. Gary also had an intense interest in politics, and was involved in campaigns in the City of Wilmington, and fundraising for his favorite candidates.
Gary loved to travel, especially to Italy and Jamaica. Last summer he rented a villa in Tuscany, where he entertained family and friends. Gary was a wonderful person to be with, and always had a warm smile for everyone. He had a great sense of humor, and loved to tell funny stories. He was a perfect gentleman and a true giver, always thinking first of what he could do for others, in every situation. Gary had many great friends who will miss him deeply.
Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, Delaware. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Ann’s Church, Gilpin Avenue and Union Street in Wilmington, Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, Gary’s family suggests donations in his name to: Delaware Greenways: www.delawaregreenways.org , Friends of Wilmington Parks: www.friendsofwilmingtonparks.org , Kalmar Nyckel Foundation: www.kalmarnyckel.org , Blood Cancer United: https://givenow.bloodcancerunited.org .
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