Gary Stuart Hartman, 89, of Syracuse, died suddenly Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at Crouse Hospital. Born in Lancaster, PA, to Irvin and Dorothy Hartman, he grew up in Oneonta. He began his broadcasting career as a teen at Oneonta radio station WDOS and graduated from Oneonta High School where he met his wife-to-be, Joanne Gage. He attended Syracuse University, studying electrical engineering and broadcasting; during this time, he served as editor of the Daily Orange, news director and chief engineer at WAER-FM. He worked as an engineer at WFBL and ultimately at WSYR-AM, FM, and TV (now WSTM), where his 52-year career spanned from before the invention of videotape to the installation of high definition digital facilities.

He was very active in his church, the Masonic lodge, Eastern Star, and Scottish Rite; he was a founding member of the Syracuse chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, and volunteered with OASIS. He was on the board of governors of the Central New York Children’s Dyslexia Center, and on the board of directors of the United Methodist Frontier Foundation.

Gary was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Joanne Gage Hartman, and is survived by his son, Jeffrey (Laurie) Hartman; granddaughter, Hannah Hartman; sisters, Beverly (Gene) Redding, Diane (Lee) Van Houten, and Patricia (Victor) Colucci; extended family, and Katie Cat.

Calling hours will be on Friday, January 16th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm  at Fergerson Funeral Home, 215 South Main Street, North Syracuse. Fraternal services will be Friday at 7:30 pm at the funeral home.
Memorial services will be Saturday, January 17th at 2 pm at Jamesville Community Church, 6300 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. Spring burial will be in Milford Cemetery.

Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Central New York Children’s Dyslexia Center, PO Box 638, Oriskany, NY 13424-0638.