Gary J. Taft, 50, formerly of Downers Grove, IL, died of pancreatic cancer in his Kenosha home on Tuesday, February 14th, 2006. He was born on March 15, 1955, in Kenosha. He attended Southport Elementary School, Lincoln Jr. High and graduated from Tremper High School in 1973. Gary worked for United Artists Theater Circuit for seven years. Starting as an usher at the Orpheum Theater, he was promoted to manager. He was relocated to many cities in the Midwest as a theater management troubleshooter before taking over a resident directorship of their flagship movie theater in Oak Brook, IL. He managed the theater until 1979, when he resigned to join Warner Bros. Motion Pictures in their Chicago office. Gary advanced quickly to the position of Chicago Office Manager. In 1989, he was the only employee in Warner Brothers history to be promoted to a Branch Manager position, bypassing the salesman position. He was branch manager for five Midwest states. When the Chicago Division was consolidated to the West Coast in 1994, Gary was offered, but declined a transfer to Burbank, CA, in the same year he was recruited by Transtar Industries in Addison, IL. He was directly involved with business office management, sales and human resources. He retired from Transtar in June, 2003. Gary was very involved in entertainment. Starting with the Kenosha All Boys Choir as a youth, he advanced to become the first student allowed to join the Tremper Acapella Choir directly out of Lincoln Junior High. In 1971, he was accepted to join "The Kids From Wisconsin" as a sophomore and has been a sponsor for years. He remained singing as a soloist at the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Kenosha, which he attended until 1973. He was an avid supporter of the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL, was a sponsor of the Kenosha Theater Restoration Project, attended many Broadway bound plays and musicals in Chicago, and frequently attended theater organ concerts across the Midwest. He has extended family and friends across the country and enjoyed visiting and traveling with them, and entertaining them in his home. He is survived by his mother, Ruth L. Taft-Wittenmeier; a brother, Henry "Sonny" Taft; six nieces and nephews; and companion, Robert Jerie. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry J. Taft, Sr., and a brother, Richard A. Taft. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 18th, at the Proko Funeral Home from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm with funeral services to be held at 4:00 pm. Interment will take place on Monday, February 20th, at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park at 11:00 am. Memorials to Hospice Alliance would be appreciated by the family. The family would like to thank the Hospice Alliance staff for their support and the compassionate care they have given Gary.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533www.prokofuneralhome.com