Edward R. Garvey

1940 - 2017

Garvey, Edward R Madison - Edward R. Garvey died on February 22, 2017 with dignity and grace, from complications of Parkinson's, surrounded by his family. A man of brilliance and wit, a maverick and pioneer at the NFLPA, and an icon in Wisconsin's progressive movement, he leaves us inspired to continue our fight for civil rights, campaign finance reform, disability rights and environmental protection. He would remind us, "Don't mourn, organize." Although his professional accomplishments were many, his pride and joy was his family, particularly his four grandchildren, Maggie, Jack, Caroline and Teddy McNeil. He is survived by his cherished wife, Betty, with whom he shared 56 remarkable years of marriage and adventure. He is the proud and treasured father of three daughters, Pam (JD Watts), Kathleen (Joe) McNeil, and Lizzy; adored two sisters, Gail (Louvan) Nolting and Jean Henning; six nieces, Rhonda Henning, Jacqueline Henning, Stacy (Terrence) Sproull, Jill (Ricardo) Cisneros, Mary (Myles) Faulkner and Anne Miller, and many great nieces and nephew for whom he was the family patriarch. He had a special place in his heart for Lizzy and the loving group of people who support her. His family is heartbroken by his passing but honored to have shared and learned life's lessons with the world's best father/papa, teacher, and mentor. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 South Owen Drive, Madison, on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 11:00 AM Visitation at the church before the service at 10:00 AM until the Mass. Private burial will follow. A true Irishman, Ed hoped friends would celebrate his life, and organize for progressive causes at an open house from 1:00-5:00 PMat the Lussier Family Heritage Center, 3101 Lake Farm Road, Madison. Please bring your memories and funny stories. In lieu of flowers, do a good deed, fight for democracy, protect the free press, or memorials to public television www.wpt.org public radio www.wpr.org FightingBob Fest www.progressive.org or the Garvey Lecture Fund (#132908062) at the UW-Wisconsin Union www.supportuw.org His life and death remind us of a civil rights leaders' quote he often recited, "My feet are tired, but my soul is at rest." For more on Ed's life visit: www.cressfuneralservice.com