Wesley Anthony Garrison

Wesley Anthony Garrison, 74, of Newington, died peacefully on Monday, June 6, 2016. He was the beloved husband for 57 years of Margaret "Peg" (Tucker) Garrison. Born on July 15, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Horace N. and Marcella (VanSyckle) Garrison and was raised in West Hartford. At an early age, Wesley's love of singing and opera was apparent, performing in public at just seven years old. At 15, he began his operatic career by studying with noted vocal teacher Frank Pandolfi, the founder and Executive Director of the Connecticut Opera. He joined the U. S. Air Force where he was welcomed into the world of the famous Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C. He performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Central and South America as operatic soloist with the USAF Concert Band. In the greater Washington, D.C. area, he sang with the Arlington Opera, Washington Symphony, University of Maryland and other opera groups. After leaving the Air Force, Wesley pursued an operatic career in New York City where he studied with Carmine Gagliardi and performed with the Manhattan School of Music Opera Department. He became a member of the Metropolitan Opera Studio and sang on the great stage of the Met. In 1971 he was a finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and the winner of the Connecticut Opera Auditions. He became one of the first ten artists with the new Lyric Opera of Chicago apprentice program. Locally, he was a tenor soloist with First Church of Christ Congregational and an interim cantorial soloist with Temple Beth Israel, both of West Hartford. In 1991 Connecticut Opera reached out to Mr. Garrison to round out their casts for Aida, La Traviata and Rigoletto. In 1992 he began a new career as a Verdi Baritone. Since making this change he performed in many major roles, including the title role in Verdi's Rigoletto, Count di Luna in Il Trovatore, Amonasro in Aida, Tonio in Pagliacci, Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca, and Iago in Verdi's Otello. An example of his New York reviews…Iago in Otello- "He has a rich and powerful voice with a brilliant top, and impressive physical presence, and a malevolence that was intense yet never overdone. His voice soared above the orchestra." He was a member of The American Legion Post No. 96, West Hartford, and served on the Board of the Pequonnock Yacht Club in New Haven. His love of art was also revealed as a professional photographer throughout the years with a studio in Hartford and finally in New Haven. His expertise in commercial, head shots and model portfolio photography was unsurpassed. He and Peg were able to vacation in Europe twice. In retirement he captained their boat, the Escapade III, and answered only to his wife, the Admiral. Wes's infectious laugh and sense of humor were unique. His famous saying was, "I'm alright as long as they're still making my scotch!" He also was a wonderful mentor, always able to lighten the mood when things got too serious because he knew that life was too short to sweat the small stuff. Along with the love of his life Peg, and their beautiful collies Siegfried and Romeo, he leaves his son Robert Garrison and his wife Amy, of FL, his daughter Beth Parent and her husband Henry Dobrinski, Jr., of Ashford, his four grandchildren Corirose Scully and her husband Josh and their two children Addison and Isabelle, Michael Martinez-Silva, Jason Parent, and Sara Parent. He also leaves his brother Jeffrey Garrison and his wife Terri, of Rocky Hill, and their children Scott and Tracey, an aunt, cousins, a brother-in-law Stephen Wayne Tucker, his wife Marie, their children and grandchildren. Along with his three "best friend brothers", Jo Bickhardt, Clark Broadbent and Paul Foster, he leaves countless friends, including those from his days in the USAF, opera singing days, and more recently, boating friends at Cedar Island Marina in Clinton and the Pequonnock Yacht Club. His family would like to thank all of those who have shown so much love and kindness. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, June 13, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by his Funeral Service at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home, concluding with Military Honors. He will be laid to rest privately. In lieu of flowers, because he loved animals so much, memorial donations may be made to the CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory with Wesley's family, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com.