North Palm Beach Life
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MARY AND GARY
​a lifelong love of boating

North Palm Couple's Journey to Fun and Adventure

By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life


Photos/MultiMedia by NPBL

NORTH PALM BEACH_Mary and Gary Petty's love of boats and boating goes back -- way back. Back to the time they lived in the Houston/Galveston area of Texas. Gary, a  career psychologist, and Mary, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist, spent their leisure time on the water, frequently racing against other boats on Lake Conroe.

When they moved to North Palm Beach five years ago, they of course chose a place on the water, which provided a convenient place to park their boat, a 28-foot Cutwater they named "Cut Loose." 

Along with their career accomplishments, they have shared a lifetime of fun and adventure, and aren't even thinking of slowing down. We joined them at their home and took a cruise on the Cut Loose. Now we invite you to meet the Pettys. 



Listen to the Podcasts

Mary and Gary are a fun-loving couple who seek out life's adventures. In the following podcasts, they talk about their life and interests, from boat racing and diving to painting and dancing. Not to mention their foray into journalism, writing for a newspaper and hosting a TV show. Carpe diem!
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Mary and Gary in their North Palm home,
​which has many nautical touches.
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This is the Pettys' boat, "Cut Loose," a C-28 model built by Cutwater, headquartered in Washington state. Equipped with lots of extras, like solar panel charging and a Garmin autopilot with remote, its 100-gallon capacity provides plenty of leisure-time fun.
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Mary enjoying a ride on the IntraCoastal

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One of Mary's pursuits is painting. This boat was done in watercolors. Her work has won awards.
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In his youth, Gary worked as a lifeguard on the beaches of Galveston, Texas. That's him -- third from the left, bottom row. At 15, he was already a successful entrepreneur. As part owner of a beach umbrella business, he was taking in $500 a week -- "five times more than my father made," he said.
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The Pettys also enjoy fishing
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Mary and her painting of a lighthouse.


Gary tries his hand at art as well. He proudly displays this Picasso-inspired saucer (Learn more in the podcasts).
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A sign in the Pettys' kitchen says it all
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Just a few of the awards the Pettys won
racing their boat in Texas.
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The Pettys' boat, anchored by the dock at his North Palm home.
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​The Pettys' North Palm Beach home was previously occupied by ​Gilda Cioff, owner of the famed Mama Gilda's restaurant in West Palm Beach, which operated from 1949 to 1980. Born in Capri, Italy, she died in 2009 at the age of 102.

Her son gave the Pettys this menu. Prices have gone up since 1949, haven't they?
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Gerry tries his hand at helping dock the boat, while Pam enjoys a day on the water. A glass a champagne with strawberries and crackers provide the perfect end to our cruise on the IntraCoastal. Thanks to our perfect hosts, Mary and Gary.
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  • Home
    • Weather >
      • Hurricane Readiness
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise Reviews and Stories
    • Cruise Compete
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 Interviews
    • Cora
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Island Destinations
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Traveling With Joe >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
  • Contact
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search