James Charles Garvey (born August 31, 1932) died August 8, 2025 at the age of 92 in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, James aka Jim, was the second of five children of William and Edith Garvey. As a young man, he played basketball, ran track, and worked as a lifeguard on the Brooklyn beaches. He was a veteran of the US Navy serving during the Korean War. He attended SUNY Oswego on the GI Bill and earned a Master’s degree at NYU. Until his retirement, Jim always worked two jobs; in his younger years he taught middle school and high school science in the Baldwin school district and worked in sales. In 1968, he moved to Rockville Centre and spent most of his career as assistant superintendent of special education in the Lynbrook school district. In the evenings, he taught health education at Hofstra University. After his retirement, the state of New York invited him to be the principal at the Woodward Children’s Center in Freeport. Students, teachers, psychologists, and clerical staff sang his praises. While his stature was grand, his temperament was mild. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and was always willing to help a neighbor, a relative, or anyone in need. Jim knew no strangers. He lived passionately and faithfully; his joy radiated and was a model for his family. He always went the extra mile to provide for his wife, children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Pamela, daughter-in-law Dawn, grandchildren Matthew, Isaac, Daniel and Brianne as well as his younger brother Richard Garvey and his younger sister Gale Harley. He is pre-deceased by his son Michael.