John Darrah Garvin
October 20, 1946 ~ February 10, 2023
Resided in:
South Portland, Maine
SOUTH PORTLAND—John “Jack” D. Garvin, 76, of South Portland, died Friday February 10 at his home.
He was born in Portland, ME October 20, 1946 the son of Paul and Margaret (Fox) Garvin. The story goes that his mom was quite dismayed that he was born five days too late to attend kindergarten with the rest of the neighborhood boys, therefore, she was left entertaining him for an extra year at age 5.
Eventually, Jack entered school and graduated from Cheverus High School. He went on to attend College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where he played football for 4 years and majored in economics. He translated his love of math into teaching his teenage children how to do their own taxes, just what every teenager wanted to be doing on a Saturday night. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine.
He married Patricia Anne Libby in 1969 and they raised 3 children together in South Portland. He was not particularly mechanically inclined, and taught his wife to drive a ‘stick shift’ by handing her the keys to the 1972 VW bug telling her: “don’t be late for work!”
He was a very cautious (slow) driver, a trait he unfortunately passed on to ⅔ of his offspring. He was both frugal and generous to the extreme. He would wear the same “dungarees” for years on end yet give neighborhood children brand new expensive sporting equipment if they looked in need. Jack was a quintessential stoic New Englander: he had a gruff exterior and kind blue eyes that betrayed his warm heart deep inside.
Jack taught at Biddeford High School where he also coached football. The friendships he made teaching and coaching in Biddeford lasted a lifetime. Even after he changed jobs to be closer to his South Portland home, he spent many weekends out in the woods on various hijinks with the friends he met from there. He went on to teach and coach football at Deering High School and Portland High School and was named Coach of the Year in 1982 after winning the Class A State Championship as head coach of the Portland Bulldogs.
His final teaching job was at Southern Maine Community College, where he met several other lifelong friends who appreciated his penchant for shenanigans. His children always lamented a snow day because their dad was also “off” school. Jack would be over the moon, meanwhile his kids were knee-deep in the basement on a work project that he dreamed up.
In his younger years, Jack enjoyed hunting and fishing in the northern Maine woods. He loved animals and was known to always have treats ready for any dog who crossed his path. He enjoyed driving slower than you can ever imagine down to Bug Light to sit and watch the maritime traffic in Portland Harbor. Jack was proud of being Irish and fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams to travel to his grandfather’s hometown in Ballyshannon, Ireland. Jack took several other big trips: he visited the USSR behind the iron curtain in the mid-80s, Ecuador, South America, and his favorite trip ever: traversing the rocky mountain west with his wife on the open road. He was most content with his wife’s amazing cooking, a cat or dog nearby and perhaps a Boston area sports team in the background on the TV.
Jack is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia; his children, Kristen L. Garvin and her husband Peter V. Tilney of Kennebunkport, ME Keith J. Garvin of Freeport, ME and Paul C. Garvin of Fort Bragg, CA; his sisters, Donna Barbalias of Gorham and Christine and Peter Cloutier of South Portland; his grandchildren, Abel M. Garvin, Maxwell V. Tilney and Sadie G. Tilney. He is predeceased by his parents, Paul and Margaret Garvin, his in-laws, M. Keith and Delma Libby, and his brother-in-law, Dean Barbalias. He is survived by multiple cousins and nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland on Wednesday February 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on May 13, 2023, at 10AM, at the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland www.arlgp.org or the South Portland Food Cupboard. http://southportlandfoodcupboard.org/
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I am saddened to hear of Jack’s passing.
We were playing Portland, I think, at The Stadium in ’64 or ‘65. I had a great seat on the bench. I was a sophomore, Jack a Junior. On two successive plays someone went offside. Tommy, The Bomber, Thornton called the same play 3 times in a row, I think it might have been 356FB Dive Right. Jack ran fir “3” touchdowns in succession—51yds, 56yds, 61yds. I know if someone stepped offside again, Jack would have run his “number” 66. The third TD run counted.
Jack was a natural leader, a remarkable athlete and clearly a great man. I tried to tackle him-once- in practice. It was like hitting a stout oak tree that knocked you down and moved on.
I wish I had known him better. He will be missed I know. The world needs more Jack Garvins.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Bob Burke
Jack and I were cousins through the Doyle side (our great-grandmothers were sisters). Kilroys/Garvins/Fox/Callan etc. I came to know Jack best when he was a faculty member at SMCC and I represented the SM faculty and the college system faculty (MEA). Jack was a first class educator, a great colleague to his peers, and a lot of fun. When I visited SM I use to check in on him and the rest of the “Irish Mafia.” And, I often sat near him at St. Pius and chatted with him after mass. A great family guy, friend, and football legend. God is very happy … Jack has come home to the Holy Cross.
Great coach, great man, great friend
Had a lot of fun with Jack and Ralph hunting
Jack was a kind man
Tilling my garden never would take any money
Him and Ralph sitting on a deer stand back to back eating boiled eggs
So sorry to hear of Jack’s passing
My Uncle Jack was an integral part of my childhood memories which ranged from eating ice cream in the back of his pick up truck as we tried to spot dear on the Ram Island Farm road, special donut deliveries from the cookie jar on Sundays or the exposure to his Coaching years as a ball boy (along with my brother BJ and cousins Paul and Keith) during his State Championship run. We all felt super important although we were probably more of a hassle. Thank you Uncle Jack for all the wonderful memories. I will always remember you in so many different ways!
I had the pleasure of meeting Jack and Pat Garvin when my husband, Chris started coaching at PHS. Jack was always very kind and I remember him and Pat fondly. I went into labor with our second child before one of PHS ‘s football games. I called, Pat to see if she could help me get a hold of Chris. Pat was kind enough to come to our home and wait with me until Chris got there. When Chris received word, Jack told him to go to his family. That family was a lot more important than football.During half time of that game the team dedicated it to Chris. I delivered a healthy boy, and that evening the PHS football team game to the maternity ward and gave Chris the game ball. Jack was an excellent coach, but in my eyes he was a husband, father and friend first. Pat and Jack were the epitome of what a loving family truly is. My husband, learned a lot from Jack Garvin and for that I am grateful. My thought and prayers go out to Pat and her family for losing such a wonderful man. Thank you, Jack for giving us so many good memories.
Jack, a Cheverus football teammate whose quiet strength and courage shone all his life—George Burns ‘65.
Your light will always shine within my heart UJ….
“UJ-Coach” you left me with a life of lessons. Always strong, always expecting the best. I have no regrets when I had to sit down with you, to teach me math. Always a challenge, but your love and sincerity for success was always a driving force in my world. Nothing is ever perfect. However, as I think of your intentions, it was you who made a difference in my world. UJ don’t you ever forget our last conversation, you laughed, you smiled as I shared stories with you just before Christmas. I am grateful for you. You are loved ♥️
Patty and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying you find peace and strength in happy memories of a life well lived. God bless.
Grette
Love you Jean
Jack was my cousin in Maine who played football for Holy Cross and later coached the football team at Portland High School. My father, Uncle Tom,who didn’t have sons, was so proud of him. We all loved Jack. His kindness and humility is what I remember. He always reached out to us with his great sense of humor and humility.
He loved his wife Pat and his sons Keith, Paul, and daughter Kirsten and his three grandchildren.
I will always remember the sweetness of his smile and his warm welcome when we came to visit.
With all our love, Joan, Katie and Maggie
I am so sorry to hear about Jack. Jack was two years behind me at Cheverus. I often walked to Cheverus with him when we would get to Brighton Ave and Devonshire at the same time.
Jack was a terrific person. I don’t know if I know a more humble man. His children and mine were at Holy Cross Grammar School about the same time. He had a great sense of humor and a dry wit. He was also an outstanding athlete at Cheverus and at Holy Cross.
My sympathies and prayers to his family.
I’m so terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father.
Jack, the “hammer”, was a great teammate at Holy Cross and we mourn along with your family
Offering my sincerest condolences to the Garvin and Cloutier families. I hope that your special memories will help you through this difficult time.
I didn’t know the depth of your sense of humor/mischievous. I also wish I had known you as a younger person. I wish I had known you as a prankster trying to make your friends laugh – or as a coach or teacher, trying to motivate your players and students. (I always thought I was 51% mom and 49% you. Now I see the scales are even.)
I appreciate that being friendly to strangers makes the world a better place. This is my number one “takeaway”. Talk to everyone!! Engage!! Treat other humans as you would like to be treated… with a smile and a question about their lives. It took me 20 or 25 years of life being introverted to appreciate this, but I practice it every day now. 💜
I appreciate that every dog deserves some love🐾
I appreciate that you taught me that the support staff of an institution are AS important, (if not more so ) than the CEO. You taught me that people matter.
I appreciate that even though we always didn’t agree, I could look into your kind, blue eyes and realize you were rooting for me.
To Peter Christine and the Garvin family, I was so sorry to hear of John passing. Take care. From Kristen Tully
To Peter Christine and the Garvin family, I was so sorry to hear of John passing. Take care. From Kristen Tully
Since 2018 when I got my dog, Buckwheat and I have been avid early morning walkers. We met Jack early on in our walks when Jack stopped to share a couple of treats with “The Buck” as Jack called him. Over the years, Jack became a dear friend and I will miss him as well as our short visits over doggie treats. Rest in peace, Jack. Our lives are better to have known you
Pat and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. May you find comfort and peace in your memories
I am so sorry to hear about Jack. He was a great coach, mentor and man. I appreciate everything he did for me and others. It was truly an honor to have the relationship I did with coach. RIP 🙏 you will be miss but never forgotten.
Michael Russo
Jack was always the class of the old neighborhood.My condolences to all the family.
Also, remember fondly Jack’s grandmother, Mrs. Fox , a daily communicant at St, Patrick’s, who prayed for and watched over all of us! She’ll be one of the first to greet him!
Back in the golden age of Preble Hall at SMCC, Jack was the man. He organized Wednesday coffee and came in at the crack of dawn to have the big urn brewing before 8 o’clock classes. He always brought in Pat’s fresh baked treats and even inspired the rest of us slackers to occasionally bring in goodies ourselves. We had some great conversations and commiserations around that coffee pot. Once Jack handed me $25 in cash and told me to take my teenage daughter out to breakfast. She was in the rebellious phase. I didn’t want to take the money but finally I did. That breakfast at bintliffs, where then you could get a great breakfast (with mimosas) for $25, really helped my daughter and me in some strange way. I’d almost say it was the power of Jack’s spirit. Bless you, old buddy. See you again one day.
Working at SMVTI/SMTC/SMCC
My sincere condolences to Jack’s family. In all the years i worked with him, he always had a smile. He frequent my boss’s office and tried to solve the problems of the college end of the world. I hope that all the comments and memories that are shared with your family or is the pain of losing such a great man.
So much easier to smile/laugh than frown.
His smile and looks on life.
I remember the first time I met Jack after moving into my house across the street. It was garbage day, and Jack was bringing his bins to the curb. I was backing out of my driveway and practically ran him over! Once I realized what I had almost done, I hopped out of the car and profusely apologized, as well as introduced myself. He called me “a peach” and told me that his wife Pat was going to love me! All true! Since that day, Jack and Pat became my extended family. I loved talking with Jack – laughing and joking. I’ll miss seeing his car drive up the street a 2 miles per hour, pull up in front of our houses (literally blocking the road) to chat with me while I was in my garden, stopping every dog walker to offer a biscuit, and see the joy in his face. RIP Jack. We are so happy to have known you.
I always respected Jack as a quiet, honest, and good human . As an athlete and coach, Jack was a fierce competitor who knew how to win! Jack will be missed.
Dear Pat and the entire Garvin extended family. We were so saddened to have learned about Jack’s passing. Jack was a kind and good man and will be missed by everyone who came in contact with him. It was an honor to have known him. God Bless Jack
Rich and Jane Petersen
This is very sad news. As a boy, I watched Jack play many games for Cheverus High School. He was a hard-running fullback on the football team and a high-scoring guard for the basketball team. I worked with Jack at SMCC from 1987-2002. He was a great accounting instructor who was loved by faculty, staff and students. May the good Lord rest his soul in Heaven.
Sorry to hear of your loss. He certainly achieved phenomenal things in his life and I know will be really missed by all he touched.
Our deepest sympathies to Jack’s family: Pat and the kids, Chris and Pete, and all who knew and loved Jack. We will miss the visiting hours as we are out-of-country. Hope to make the funeral mass.
Love to all, Steve and Anne
Jack and I were in kindergarten & supremacy then four years at Cheverus H.S., then taught together at Deering H.S. Jack was always a gentle, humble man with a quick smile and a kind word.
I was a classmate at HC. Condolences and prayers in his passing. 🙏🏼😞✝️