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Brian Garvey Obituary
Middletown
Brian T. Garvey, PhD., of Middletown, former Dean of the Honors School at Monmouth University passed away September 17. Professor Garvey took his Masters and PhD degrees at Bradford University in England, after receiving a Bachelor's Degree at Sacred Heart University, in Fairfield, CT. He began his career at the Monmouth University in 1986, and early in his tenure there assisted in initiating the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, which set the course for students to relate aspects of different subject matter into an interconnected course of study. In addition, he helped promote experiential education at the University and acted as Director of the Perspectives Department. During his tenure as professor of English, he earned a reputation for innovative and colorful teaching methods, always capturing his students' imaginations and earning their respect and admiration. He was awarded the Distinguished Teacher Award in 2001. Under his direction, the Honors Program he piloted from 1992 to 2005 grew from a program to a distinguished Honors School. He served as its first Dean until 2009. He could often be seen in front of the Honors residence in Birch Hall mentoring students well into the evening. In 2010, The Faculty Association of Monmouth University awarded Dr. Garvey their Warncke Award, for "distinguishing himself through outstanding service over the years." His favorite hobby was photography and he delighted in displaying his landscapes, often of reflections in water.
He was predeceased by parents Thomas and Breda Garvey. He is survived by sisters: Maureen Hintelmann of Shrewsbury; Pat Halsey and husband Malcolm of Oakhurst, Diane Garvey and husband Dann of Lansdale, PA.;,and a brother Garry Garvey and his wife Laura of Versailles, KY; and 2 nieces, 2 nephews, numerous cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews. He will be missed by all his life touched.
Visitation will be at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank on Friday, Sept. 21, from 2 - 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM and a Memorial Service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1475 W. Front Street, Lincroft, NJ on Saturday, Sept. 22nd, at 11:00A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Brian T. Garvey Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 8097, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brian Garvey
Shaun Hepworth
January 1, 2021
i just want to let you know Brian in all these years you remain in my heart that has never stopped loving you as a friend and inspirational and i WILL See you again .I Know it .i can clearly see you if i shut my eyes .that smile n that laugh So infectiouse.those bright Blue Irish /American eyes .clear as if your sat afront me .Till we Meet Again My Dearest Friend .I think about you n the fun we had a lot still do .Love you more than ive ever loved a buddy .have never felt that love n friendship with anyone since.Such A special guy .i miss you so badly i think about you and im smiling wide smiles .Thank you so much for letting me get to know you Brian im proud to have known you. proud to have loved you .Cant Wait till We Meet Again somewhere in that vast Universe but i know i be able to find you where ever you are .Rest peacefuly. Brian .Your pal from England Will never forget you .You made my life so much richer and happier.THAKYOU. Shaun .xXx.
Shaun Hepworth
January 1, 2021
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Tommy Lynn
May 5, 2013
This is really hard...I was in a hospital in Oct. when I called Brian to talk about life, as I did off and on over the last 37 years. I was afraid until now to find out why he didn't call me back...I'm devastated...you see I was listening to a Cat Stevens song which brought me back to the summer of 1973 when I met Brian in the Bronx the house on Huxley, I was 16...I kind of knew then that we would be friends forever,how ever long that is...He was working on his thesis, utopias and dystopia's...I was amazed by his brilliance...little did I know he was going to have such a positive impact on my life,wonderful conversations on life,science and literature...he turned me on to Kurt Vonnegut,at times I feel like Billy Pilgrim traveling back in time when I listen to music from all those years ago...I got to see Brian again in the summer of 2011...He said to me the prodigal son returns,which touched me deeply...we hadn't seen each other in many years,we stayed up all night as if it was 1973 again...he was the closest friend I ever had,we talked about everything and anything...he will forever be in my heart...
May the images of the past Forever reenact our youth In this a remote corner of the universe.....................
Joey Garvey
October 10, 2012
Brian and I grew up together in Neptune NJ. He was my larger than life older cousin. He was so energetic and competitive in everything he did. He will be sorely missed.
Brian and sister Diane around 1995
Diane Garvey
October 9, 2012
Mike Edwards
September 28, 2012
There was simply no one of his caliber. His intellectual peers rarely dedicated themselves to students the way he did. As for advisors, no one could challenge and engage their students in quite his fashion. He was the bedrock for my education at Monmouth and he is sorely missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Jeff Diviney
September 24, 2012
Brian and I made candy apples at the Miramar Grill on the Boardwalk in the sixties as we were working our way through High School he was fun and kind and a very Good man and Old Friend
Chris Mohan
September 24, 2012
Dr. Garvey was my Romantic Lit. professor at Monmouth. He was a great teacher. I continue to use what I learned from his class with my students. Rest in Peace.
Cody Ross Pitts
September 23, 2012
Dr. Garvey was the reason I attended Monmouth University. I still remember "shopping" for colleges, and I remember being impressed by Monmouth, but it was Dr. Garvey and Reenie of the Honors School that really sealed the deal for me. Brian Garvey was a brilliant, enthusiastic, truly interesting, and caring man. And he was a man with vision. I know he worked very hard on building the Honors School from the ground up. It has come a long way, all thanks to this man with a dream to build a home for students looking to push their academic boundaries to new heights. He built it, and we did come. And calling it a "home" is appropriate, because we were a family at Birch Hall. Dr. Garvey didn't just build the Honors School from an administrative standpoint - he cared about every student almost as if they were his own children. I could go to Dr. Garvey seeking academic help, advice on more personal issues/decisions, or simply because I wanted to have a conversation. And he was always good for an interesting conversation. I would say "Hello, Dr. Garvey," and that would evolve into a 3 hour conversation about the most random things. We'd talk about Shakespeare, Broadway, photography, science, anchovy sandwiches, reflections, medicine, his graduate studies, whatever I was learning at the time in my classes, how he'd take his bike everywhere, and so many other things. With no segues. Our minds and conversations would wander, and we'd get lost. I always left his office with a smile. He even found a way for me to combine my love of science and my love of theatre, and lined up an internship for me as a freshman. Since then, I've been inspired to find other ways to combine things that I love, no matter how "different" they may seem. He fostered the interdisciplinary mind and the passionate heart to back it. I'll never forget Dr. Garvey. He was the heart and soul of the Honors School, and that's where his legacy lies. Even after his death, he is responsible in part for the success of every student that passes through. I think I can speak for everyone who entered Birch Hall in 2006 with me, when I say this man will be greatly missed. He has touched the lives of all of us in one way or another. And even though we're spread throughout the country now, in law school, molding young minds at a high school, working at a hospital, as an accountant, as a lacrosse coach, in medical school, or getting a PhD in chemistry, and may not have been able to attend his funeral, we mourn his loss and wish to vocalize to his family how important he was to us, and how our lives would not quite be the same without him. I promise to inspire others the way this man has inspired me. Dr. Garvey will live on in the hearts of the graduates of the Honors School. And his work will continue to be done.
The next time I take a picture of the sky through a reflection in a puddle, I know your reflection will be smiling right back at me. I love you man. Don't talk St. Peter's ear off at the gate.
September 21, 2012
I knew Brian as Diane's big brother, when I was in high school. I recently had the pleasure of having many intellectual conversations with Brian. Although, my favorites were when Brian told stories of life as a teenager, at the jersey Shore, during the 1960's.
Elaine (Bettinger-Bakalian) Hildebrandt
September 21, 2012
I knew Brian in Saint Rose High School as a very smart, kind, caring, comical soul with the grandest smile going. He always listened to what you had to say. I can see now just how many lives he touched and how well he'll be remembered. My heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.
Since I missed signing my name the first time, I am reposting my thoughts.
Donna Vining
September 21, 2012
Brian was a classmate of mine at St. Rose High School. What a genuine example of generosity and kindness, he was. Brian possessed a true renaissance spirt, dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, higher learning, and the transforming power of information.
I will miss him but take comfort in knowing that he now resides in a far better place.
Donna (Madonna) Boles Vining
Ruben Luna
September 21, 2012
I would like to extend my condolences to Brian's family. I have known Brian since grammar school and high school. I remember his kindness and his wit. Rest in Peace.
September 21, 2012
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Brian.
Sincerely,
Erwin and Marilyn Schaefer
Christine Walker Barnes
September 21, 2012
A very sweet guy... I'm so sad to learn of his passing. He did the St. Rose class of '68 proud. My last memory of him was a conversation outside the restaurant of our last class reunion. My heartfelt condolences to his family & friends.
Richard Halsey
September 21, 2012
Brian was a friend at a time when I really needed a friend. My high school years were enriched because he was part of them. From Statue remodeling, to working for Gus. He made my teen years bearable. Even though we drifted apart in time and distance, he has always had an indelible mark on my life. May God welcome you my friend, and may your joy in life be as welcome in heaven as it was here.
Bob Coyne
September 21, 2012
I was a classmate of Brian during the St Rose years, and I only saw him a time or two since graduation all those years ago. He was a bright, funny and kind-hearted young man, and I'm sure those same qualities carried him through adulthood. He always seemed to be ready for a laugh, and faced life with a hint of devilish humor hidden behind his ready, fresh-faced smile -- the mystery of the missing statue of St Rose legend is proof enough of that. RIP, Brian, may you find just as much joy and adventure on your new journey. My sincere sympathies to those he left behind. Take heart in knowing that his was a life well lived.
Robin Kucharczyk
September 21, 2012
Back in 2005 at a new faculty reception Brian gave me my first impression of what administrators were like at Monmouth University: kind caring people. I will always remember him for this. My sincerest condolences to the family on your loss.
Tracey Dubey
September 21, 2012
We will miss you, Brian! You were a GREAT professor and dedicated yourself to the students.
September 21, 2012
You will be missed Brian, you were a good soul. My condolences to the family.
Sincerely, Robyn Asaro
September 21, 2012
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Garvey. He was a kind and genuine person who will be missed, but never forgotten.
Debbie Mellish, Monmouth University
Dr. Christopher White
September 21, 2012
My deepest sympathy to you Maureen and your family at this time of loss. My family and I will pray for your brother. Chris
Ellen Carroll
September 21, 2012
Brian Garvey was always a great guy---from the time I met him in grammar school when I was very shy. He was always nice to me. And I will never forget his kindness.
September 21, 2012
I knew Brian in Saint Rose High School as a very smart, kind, caring, comical soul with the grandest smile going. He always listened to what you had to say. I can see now just how many lives he touched and how well he'll be remembered. My heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.
Al Capone
September 20, 2012
Will always remember Brian as a great classmate, friend and leader. A person of great wit and personality, he will always be missed by his family and classmates, students and teachers and by all who knew him. May he rest in peace and always be remembered.
Pat Ikuss Bubb
September 20, 2012
My condolences to Brian's family. We were so lucky to have him in our class at St. Rose. He was a wonderful guy and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Christopher Rau
September 20, 2012
I first met Dr. Garvey when I started at Monmouth University in 2007 living in Birch Hall. The class that moved in that year was pretty eccentric compared to most Honor's classes but Garvey took it in stride and interacted with us a great deal. I will always be thankful for his support and guidance. What I can't thank him enough for is his instrumental help in founding the Brian Kirn memorial scholarship. Without his assistance and that of the Honor School, my goal would have been that much harder. Thank you Dr. Garvey. You will be missed.
Franny Hoenge Wright
September 20, 2012
I was very sad to hear about Brian's passing. He was a great guy who I was classmates with at St. Rose High & considered a good friend. My deepest condolences to all his family...
~RIP Brian~
Linda Vola
September 20, 2012
I was saddened to hear of Brian's passing. Everyone in our High School Class remembers him for his smile, wit, warmth and wisdom. A dear friend is lost and I will miss him.
May he be blessed in his passing with the knowledge that he had a positive impact on many lives. Rest in Peace Brian.
Donna Graham Rogers
September 20, 2012
I was a friend and classmate of Brian in Holy Spirit Grammar School and St. Rose High School. He was a very funny and intelligent and sensitive person anda good friend. He will always be remembered by those of us who were fortunate enough to know him, and he will be missed by all. RIP Brian.
Raymond Slamb
September 20, 2012
I was one of Dr. Garvey's students in the Honors School. He was one of the most interesting people I've met at Monmouth. He always made time to talk to students and was always there for them. I'm lucky that I had the chance to know him. My thoughts are with his family.
Marcy McGinnis
September 20, 2012
I went to Holy Spirit grammar school and St. Rose High School with Brian. I will always remember his great smile and sense of humor. I was glad to see him at the SRHS reunions...he made quite a mark at Monmouth College...touched a lot of students. I am so sorry that he died so early in his life. Rest in peace, Brian. You will be missed. Marcy McGinnis
September 20, 2012
As a classmate of Brian's at St. Rose School, I recall his friendliness and sincerity. I can only imagine what a cherished professor he must have been to his students at Monmouth University. God bless Brian and his family.
Laura Harlow-Chisholm
September 20, 2012
I had known Brian since grammar school. He was a great guy, smart, funny and kind. He will be missed by all who knew him. I will always remember our fun together in St. Rose. I still have a piece of the flag from the class trip, and will always remember his many joyous pranks. RIP.
Mary Dunn
September 20, 2012
Brian, you shall be sadly missed by all of your St. Rose High School classmates. You filled our high school years with so much laughter and fun. I hope you know how much we loved you. Rest in peace, dear friend!
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