Yogesh Krishna Garg

Yogesh Krishna Garg of Wooster passed away on August 19 after a long illness. Yogi was born to Pushpa and Mahesh Krishna Garg in 1943 in Khurja, India. He obtained his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1964 from University of Roorkee in India, where he was the president of the student body.

He lived in Lucknow, India, before coming to Wooster in 1964, as part of a management training program with Crown Steel. Meanwhile, he was adopted by what would become his American family, Leo and Dorothy Hoarty, and their wonderful children. After completing his training, he went to University of Toledo, where he got his master’s degree in Industrial Engineering in 1967.

He worked for Hunt-Wesson foods in Toledo for two years; and then went onto become the director of manufacturing services for the international division of Addressograph – Multigraph. His entrepreneurial journey started with the establishment of Camrey Industries, then continued on as the CEO of Magni-Power from 1983 to 1986. Then he started multiple companies - a frozen pizza company called It’zza Pizza, an injection molding company called Dyna-Plas Industries, and finally Global Body & Equipment, a steel fabrication company. His expertise was in buying companies that were close to bankruptcy and turning them around to be highly profitable. He had a sharp mind and ability to streamline processes that helped him to be a very successful businessman.

He put his roots down in the Wooster community and did not want to live anywhere else in the world, but this unique town that he loved at first sight. He was married to his first wife Constance from 1972 to 1985, who survives him. He then married his life partner Shila in 1988 and they created a welcoming home in Wooster that saw many gatherings of family and friends, and numerous social events for the College of Wooster community. They together enjoyed traveling the world with many friends. Yogi was a true foodie, and was an excellent cook of Indian and Mexican dishes. His margaritas were famous. He loved his golden retriever Chico and after his passing turned his love to feral cats and birds. He created a beautiful garden where many types of birds visit. His love for the community manifested in providing employment to hundreds, service to the city, and philanthropy to the College and the Humane Society.

Yogi loved his family beyond anything else. He is survived by his wife Shila; his son Avinash (Laura), his step daughters: Nandini Rao (Anju Gopal) and Bina Venkataraman; and his two grand daughters Neela and Ayoni Rao. His parents and sister Punita predeceased him. Yogi is also survived by three sisters; Minu Gupta (Umesh), Anita Gupta (Ratan), and Kumud Sangal (Praduman), and many nieces and nephews.

The family is indebted to Symantha Corbin for help caring for Yogi in his final months. We would like to thank Janet Dawson for being a helping hand throughout his final years. Our heartfelt gratitude to Hospice nurses and staff, without whose help caring for Yogi would have been challenging.

There will be a Celebration of Life for close friends and family at the family home on Friday, August 29 from 5-7 pm. Anyone wishing to honor his memory can send contributions to Wayne County Humane Society 1161 Mechanicsburg Rd, Wooster, OH 44691; or to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691. Roberts Funeral Home – Sherwood Chapel is serving the family.