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GARRETT GALVIN Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Garrett Francis Galvin, age 86, who passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025 at Roseview Manor.
Garrett was born on March 5, 1939 to Katherine and John Galvin. He spent his formative years in Port Arthur before leaving to attend McMaster University, graduating in 1958 to begin his career as a high school math teacher in Hamilton. In 1973, he received his Master of Education at the University of Ottawa before returning to Thunder Bay to continue his teaching career. He taught math for 17 years at Hillcrest and Hammarskjold High Schools. In 1984, he became principal of the newly established St. Patrick's High School. In 1990, he and Alayne moved to Germany where he become principal of the Department of National Defense High School in CFB Baden-Solingen, returning to Canada upon the military base closure in 1993. He finished his career at St. Ann Elementary School, retiring in 1995. In addition to his teaching career, he also spent many years as a school board trustee. Garrett and Alayne spent their retirement years travelling the world, returning home to life at camp at Sunnyside Beach on Lake Superior where they welcomed their ever-growing family every summer. In his later years, Garrett was also a proud member of the Shuniah Volunteer Fire Department.
Beloved husband of Alayne and a loving father of Tim (Krissie), Melanie, Greg (Lora) and Gen (Eric) and grandchildren Carolyn (Stefan), Garrett (Emily), Courtney (Brian), Jason, Alex, Alyssa, Kieran and Kaya. He will be especially missed by his sister Kathleen (Foster) Gauley and well as his nieces and nephew Kendra, Ed, and Jaclyn as well as his sister-in-law Ann Rochefort, and nephew Philippe.
Garrett was predeceased by his parents Katherine and John, and brother Edward.
Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. There will be visitation for an hour before the service. Burial will take place at a later date.
Deepest gratitude to the Primrose staff at Roseview Manor who looked after Garrett with kindness and compassion in his last years and Garrett extends a final "BINGO!" to his PSW Raffino.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for GARRETT GALVIN
Sponsored by Northwest Funeral Alternative.
13 Entries
Barbara Sheffield Restivo
May 25, 2025
Alayne - It is hard to believe, but this past week, I was trying to find you both online. It has been years since we last connected as children and young adults, but I have never forgotten the links our families had and our times at the cottage in the Laurentians. Surrounded in love and with blessings to you and your family as you mourn Garrett's passing.
Lynda DePiero
May 24, 2025
Dear Alayne. I am so very sorry to hear about Garrett's recent passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Take good care. Sincerely, Lynda DePiero
Janice Andrew-Cotter
May 23, 2025
Condolences to the Galvin Family, thinking of you. I have fond memories of Mr.Galvin taking my kids out on the boat at Sunnyside many years ago. Thank you for those experiences and memories. Sincerely, Janice
John Izatt
May 22, 2025
Condolences to Alayne and family. So sorry to hear of Garrett's passing. Many great memories especially from days at Hammarskjold. Always positive and helpful. A great colleague! John
Gloria and Michael Chochla
May 20, 2025
A truly good and gentle spirit, who made the world a better place. We were honoured to know him. Our deepest sympathy to Alayne and family. May your faith bring you peace and your memories bring you comfort. Sincerely, Gloria and Michael
Louise Grottoli
May 18, 2025
Fritz and myself, Louise, met Garrett and Alayne while he and I were both principals in Baden, Germany : he at the secondary school and me at the elementary school. Many social occasions were shared among both staffs leading to camaraderie and fun. Garrett was always a gentle soul with a healthy sense of humour. The Galvins and the Grottolis shared Christmas cards for many years thereafter. Our condolences go out to Alayne and family for their loss.
Maureen Comuzzi
May 18, 2025
To Mr. Galvan´s Family
Your Dad was an amazing kind man. He always had a smile on his face and I always looked forward to his good morning!!
Sending my thoughts and prayers.
Leo Oja
May 18, 2025
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Galvin's passing. During my time at Hammarskjold High School, he served as Head of the Mathematics Department. While he was well known for his classroom skills and calm professionalism, what many may not have known was the quiet act of pedagogical generosity he extended to a small group of students. We had asked him about taking a course that, officially, did not exist.
In addition to the required Grade Twelve mathematics course, Mr. Galvin developed and taught an experimental statistics course for a small number of "odd" kids who wanted more mathematics. That course existed for only one year-our year-and yet its influence has echoed throughout my academic and professional life. With the perspective that comes from decades of experience, including my work in curriculum development, I have come to appreciate the magnitude of that effort. The bureaucratic hurdles, the countless hours of preparation, the sheer commitment to teaching something truly new-all for a handful of eager learners-was nothing short of extraordinary.
This was in 1976. While official curricular recognition of statistics came decades later, most notably in 2007, when the Ministry introduced the Grade 12 Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U) course, Mr. Galvin was already laying the groundwork. To see educational value thirty years in advance is remarkable; to act on it is rarer still.
So much of how we understand the world today is mediated through mathematics, particularly statistics. That was evident in his class, where he helped a small coterie of like-minded students see patterns, reason with uncertainty, and develop intellectual courage. He shared a worldview with us-one rooted in order, inquiry, and clarity.
That early grounding in statistics helped me navigate diverse fields-statistics in psychology, statistical thermodynamics, statistical theory-with far more confidence than I could have otherwise mustered. I was trained well-better than I knew at the time-and that is entirely to Mr. Galvin´s credit.
Mr. Galvin did not teach that statistics course for accolades or advancement. He did it because he saw something worth cultivating in a few students, and he gave of himself freely. That kind of goodness, I now realize, is not just admirable. It is rare. It brings to mind the words of Christ in the Gospel of John: "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me... and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15). While this might overstate things, in a way, we all exchange our time for things we think are important. In his own quiet, dedicated way, Mr. Galvin embodied that spirit, recognizing the promise in his students and offering the best of himself without expectation of recognition.
May he rest in peace, and may his legacy be remembered not only in what he taught, but in how he taught: with care, depth, and silent devotion.
Debi and Grant Browning
May 17, 2025
Our condolences to the family in this sad time, and I would like to add how much I appreciated having been hired on to the staff of Baden Senior by Garrett .That opportunity and our time with him as principal is a cherished memory from my family´s life over seas.
Bill Baziuk. Nicest gentleman teacher, I will never forget
May 17, 2025
Gary Galvin taught me Technical Mathematics that gave me more confidence for my Railway Entrepreneurial Career. Great Teacher and friend! Bill Baziuk
Geof Botting
May 17, 2025
My condolences to the family and friends of Garrett. He was a fine educator and a great human. I only taught with him for a short time, but he made a lasting impression on me.
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