Walter J. Garrison

Walter Jerome Garrison, 87, of Pine Brook, NJ passed away on January 21, 2026.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Joseph's Church, West Orange. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Condolences may be shared at shookfarmer.com.

Jerry was Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, he lived in West Liberty and East Bank then several New Jersey communities Salem, Pennsville, Westfield, Clark and Avenel before settling in Pine Brook in 1995 with his beloved wife, Carmene. A hardworking man throughout his life, he owned and operated several small businesses, including Mayfair Tailors & Formalwear, in Westfield, Mountainside Cleaners in Mountainside, and Jerry's Lawn Service. He later completed his career at General Motors in Linden, where he worked for 23 years as an auto assembler.

Jerry met life's challenges with quiet strength and perseverance. He was a quiet man by nature, though those closest to him knew his humor, wit and occasional sarcasm, which often surfaced at just the right moment.

He had a love for animals that was rooted in his early childhood. Back home on the farm he had a pet chicken Susie. Then he found a puppy he named Rex. He always laughed at the memory of his mom telling him if that dog grows to the size of its feet you can't keep him, but he did. There were many pets throughout his life most recently his beautiful beloved Ollie, a cat that love to play fetch and Sienna, a quiet poodle who would get in his view and bark at him at 11 p.m. because it was time to go snuggle up and go to bed.

In his spare time, he enjoyed all things aviation, including flying, going to air shows, stopping whatever task to watch an airplane flying by, and collecting miniature aircraft. He loved traveling with his wife, especially to

St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean and cruises. Above all, he cherished time spent visiting with family and friends in West Virginia, California, Switzerland, Connecticut, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Arizona, N Carolina, S Carolina, Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont.

He was predeceased by his parents, Walter A. and Naida L. Garrison; his daughter, Dale L. Ronan; and his brother, Neal L. Garrison.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Carmene Guarino-Garrison; his son, Patrick B. Garrison; his stepson, Richard E. Bolen, Jr. and his wife Lena; Dale's partner, Marc Viredaz; his grandchildren, Gennaro Hazelman, and Xavier Hazelman; and his sisters, Patricia V. Garrison and Rose Mae Brozek as well as several nieces and nephews.