John Garvey, scout leader, dies at 80

John Garvey, a longtime resident of Wantagh best known for his service as a Boy Scout leader, died on Jan. 5. He was 80.

Garvey was born on June 6, 1934. He moved from Richmond Hill, Queens to Wantagh in 1962, where he and his wife, Joan, raised three children, Joanne, John and Scott.

For more than 45 years, Garvey was active in the Boy Scouts of Nassau County, even long after his children were out of the program. He held many different positions including scoutmaster with Wantagh Troop 656, and was later a district chairman. Garvey was also a member of the Sagamore Service Troop and Sagamore master.

One of Garvey’s proudest accomplishments was attending summer camp with Troop 656 for more than 20 years. He received numerous accolades include the Distinguished Commissioner Award, James E. West Award, District Award of Merit, American Legion Scout, Silver Beaver, George Meaney Award and the General MacArthur Award from the Masons. In 2012, he received the Community Service Award from the Theodore Roosevelt Council.

Tony Walker was involved with Garvey in the scouts for many years, including with Cub Scout Pack 191 and Troop 656. Walker described Garvey as a mentor and his go-to guy with any need.

“Every single event we had, he always made it to them,” Walker said. “He loved seeing the boys getting a great scouting experience. He loved every second of it.”

Walker added that Garvey had a great sense of humor, and did everything with a smile on his face.

Wantagh Kiwanis Club President Heidi Felix, a past scout leader, described Garvey as very patriotic. She noted his honesty, saying that Garvey was a person who “told it like it was.”

Garvey was a charter member of the Wantagh High School DADS Booster Club and served as a member of the advisory committee to the Wantagh Board of Education. Garvey gave occupational speeches on many occasions in both the Wantagh and Seaford school districts, and worked with the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce to maintain Triangle Park. He was a judge for many years at the annual Fourth of July Parade.

Additional community service includes officiating PAL basketball and managing Little League teams. He started and was a commissioner for a baseball league for 13-year-olds. He umpired baseball games for many years including at the high school and college level, softball games at Jones Beach, and the Journal American All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

Garvey was a Korean War Veteran and a member of Wantagh American Legion Post 1273. He served for 15 years on the local Selective Service Board.

Mark Greaker, commander of the American Legion, said that Garvey was an active member of the organization, but was most known for his involvement with the scouts. Greaker also noted that Garvey was one of the founders of Troop 656. “He always had the proud boast of saying he held every job within the ranks of the Boy Scouts,” Greaker said.

Professionally, Garvey was a New York City firefighter for 38 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to his wife and children, Garvey is survived by five grandchildren.