Richard Garvey

Richard Garvey (Garv) 70 of South Yarmouth, formerly from Natick, passed away after a courageous battle against cancer.

Rich was born in Natick in 1954, to parents John T. and June M. Garvey.   He grew up on the family farm, the youngest of 9 children and attended Natick Schools.  He graduated in 1972 and immediately followed his brothers’ tradition of joining the U.S. Marine Corp. serving from January 1971-February 1974.  Proud of his military service, he attained the rank of sergeant in less than 2 years after multiple meritorious promotions.  Rich served in Viet Nam and earned the Vietnamese Service Medal with one bronze star, National Defense medal and Marine Corp. Good Conduct Medal.  Upon his return from the service, he worked for many years for the Annis-Porsche, Audi Volkswagen Dealership.  Rich then joined the Framingham Fire Department, fulfilling his lifelong dream of being a firefighter.  He attended the Boston Fire Academy, graduating first in his class.  He went on to have a rewarding career, rising through the ranks as Fire Fighter, EMT/Lieutenant/Captain, reaching the rank of Deputy Fire Chief serving as shift commander of suppression forces.  Rich was a can-do kind of man, building many beautiful homes in the Framingham/Hopkinton areas, finally building his retirement home on the Bass River. 

He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity and will be so missed by many. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Thayne, his sisters, Linda Curley and Marjorie Young (Jim), his daughters, Joanna Chace (Josh), Kathleen Pyne (Sean), Thayne’s sons, Benjamin Hendricks (Kelly) and Tyler Hendricks (Grace).  Surviving in-laws are Erma Garvey, Susan Garvey, Danny Norton, Rob Cameron, and Mark Cameron.  He is survived by 9 adored grandchildren: Cameron and Connor Hendricks, Madison and Jaxson Chace, Evan and Joey Pyne, Emmett, Caleb and Wyatt Hendricks.  He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and the “400” cousins.  He also leaves behind his loyal and loving friend, Charlie.  He is predeceased by his sisters Madeline Norton (Henry), Barbara Benedict (Robert), Jean Blake (Ray), Janet Norton and brothers Jack Garvey and Jim Garvey and a brother-in-law, Walter Curley.  His last years were spent in the Salt Box neighborhood of Bass River, where he loved his neighbors, the beach, his boat and his life.  Special Thanks to the wonderful infusion nurses at the Dana Farber, especially Niki and Amy and to the staff at the Cape Cod VNA/Hospice.

Visiting hours at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., NATICK COMMON, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 9am-11am. A Funeral Service will follow in the funeral home at 11:00 am. Relatives, friends, and co-workers are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be held at Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard’s memory to the DAV – Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 https://www.dav.org.

For online guestbook and directions: everettfuneral.com

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