Peter Jack Garfield

Peter J. Garfield (USN Ret.) of Jacksonville, FL, passed away peacefully on 6 October 2025. He was 89 years old.

Born on 14 Sept 1936 in Manhattan, NY, he was a talented scholar, athlete and consummate gentleman, winning admission to the prestigious Bronx High School of Science and leveraging his height and competitive spirit as a varsity basketball player, knocking out a front tooth in the process. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Vanderbilt University, on a Naval ROTC scholarship, for a year, before joining his beloved USNA class of 1960 ("Super-Sixty"). He was proud to have completed a USMA West Point exchange program, which he reminded all around him of during every Army Navy football game.

Graduating with his 11th Company shipmates, Pete started his Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) career aboard the USS Little Rock (CLG-4). He attended the NATO Mine Warfare School, Ostend Belgium, becoming the first U.S. Naval Officer to graduate from the course in 1962. He served aboard several Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) ships, completing several cruises. He returned to the Naval Academy from 1965-67, serving as the 3rd Company Officer while simultaneously earning an MS Degree from The George Washington University, Washington, DC. His surface warfare career continued through 1976, marked by service aboard a variety of guided missile cruisers and destroyers, Vietnam War service, concluding in San Diego, CA as the Destroyer Squadron Seventeen, Chief of Staff. The next decade of service saw him perform duties during two Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR), London, England tours, interspersed with assignments aboard the Fleet Training Center, Mayport, FL and Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little Creek, VA.

Retiring in 1986, Pete embarked on a career in financial services, earning several professional credentials, licenses and an MBA from the University of North Florida. He truly loved helping his clients and friends achieve their life goals and was committed to maintaining and enforcing high ethical and professional standards; serving all those around him until a few months before his passing.

Exceptionally active in the USNA Alumni Association, Jacksonville FL, Chapter, he served in a variety of leadership and social roles, always with an eye for mentoring the next generation of USNA leaders. Pete knew just about every meaningful player statistic on every Midshipman football player, concluding with lengthy commentary, while watching the Navy vs. Air Force game in his hospice room on 4 October 2025, marking the victory by signing along to Anchors Away. An avid reader, sportsman, historian and 'punter'; he enjoyed marching his family and friends through London's landmarks, European cities, horseracing venues and 'bookmakers' throughout the United Kingdom. His favorite coffee mug proudly proclaims, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

Never shying away from responsibility and a sense of duty, he served his community as a key leader on The Woods Community Association, Board of Directors for over two decades, contributing immeasurably to the quality of life of all residents during a period of immense growth and change.

Pete is survived by his wife of 64 years, Phyllis; two sons, Peter (USMC Ret.) (Victoria) and Michael (Esq.) (Shannon) and four Grandchildren; Peter, William, Kelsey and Aimee.