Gary A. Garafola

Gary A. Garafola
of Townsend; 57

TOWNSEND -- Gary A. Garafola, 57, of Townsend died Saturday, September 22, 2012, at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Ayer.

Mr. Garafola was born in Waterbury, CT November 29, 1954, a son of Ann (Sciascia) and the late Albert R. Garafola. He was a 1973 graduate of Holy Cross High School in Waterbury and continued his education at Bentley College in Waltham where he majored in Marketing Management.

Besides his mother of Waterbury, he leaves his wife of 33 years, Lynne C. (Burrill) Garafola; five children, Keith A. Garafola and his wife, Jennifer, of North Andover, Lee G. Garafola, Kimberly L. Garafola, Paul M. Garafola and Jeffrey A. Garafola all of Townsend; three brothers, Albert Garafola and his wife, Terry, of Waterbury, CT, Pasquale Garafola and his wife, Lois, of Southington, CT and David Garafola and his wife, Denise, of Wolcott, CT. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.

Most recently, Mr. Garafola had been employed by the Concord/Carlisle Public School System as a school bus driver and a Driver Education Instructor, entertaining the kids with a variety of vibrant shoes, a hat of the week and a question of the day. Over the past few summers he also worked with the Marcus Lewis Day Camp at Devens. Through the years he enjoyed the friends he made while building an Amway Business.

Gary was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Townsend. He volunteered his time with the Santa Claus Program sponsored by the Townsend VFW and with the Boy Scout Program while two of his kids earned the rank of Eagle. Gary lived life with energy and enthusiasm and would want his life to be celebrated; his family knows he will be missed by all.

GARAFOLA -- A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30AM Friday, September 28th at St. John the Evangelist Church, One School Street, Townsend.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Monday, October 1st in Waterbury, CT.

Calling hours are 4 to 8 PM Thursday at the T. J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 250 Main St. (Townsend Center), Townsend.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information.