Kenneth John Garvey, age 80 years, of Hunterdon County, NJ, left us on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.
Born on May 29, 1939 in Garden City, NY, son of the late Justin and Eve Moreau Garvey, Ken was raised in New York and had lived the majority of his life in Readington Township, NJ on Pleasant Run Road in a home he built from the ground up.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps., Ken spent his career working as a money manager on Wall Street where he was well-respected and made many lifelong friends. Firms such as Lehman Brothers and J. W. Seligman benefitted from his sage counsel and strong work ethic. He would later go on to become the co-founder/owner of Marque Millennium Group Ltd.
Being a “people” person was part of Ken’s persona; he simply enjoyed learning about and helping people in whatever way he was able. His positive and outgoing attitude would have it no other way.
His hobbies were varied but usually revolved around tinkering with anything mechanical. He had a passion for riding Harley Davidsons, of which he had many over the years.
A craftsman not only on the mechanical side, Ken’s natural ability made him a skilled woodworker as well. He could make and fix almost anything. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting, and watching old Westerns when the time allowed.
His main passion in life was his three children, Laurel, Justin and Alexandra. He made certain that he prepared them each for all of life’s ups and downs, and made sure they knew survival skills for any situation. His daughters jokingly recall that they learned how to change a tire and complete an oil change before they could ride a bike! He was proud of each of them, and the adults they became, as his children and grandchildren were what he talked about with everyone he met.
An unknown Harley Davidson aficionado once wrote, “Don’t fear dying, fear not living. Let’s ride. Don’t wait for life, ride to meet it.” Ken lived each day encouraging others to live that day to the fullest. To honor Ken is to “ride” each day on your own “Harley”, appreciating all that you see and all who you meet along the way. Do this, and you honor him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Renberger.
Surviving are his wife, Ellita Neel Garvey; his children, Laurel A. Garvey and her fiancé, Joseph Lange, Justin W. Garvey, and Alexandra L. Garvey; his grandsons, Davon, Cole, and Ethan Garvey; a sister, Eunice Hau; his cherished Doberman, Bodie; several nieces, nephews, and extended family; and many dear friends around the world.
Life celebration services were held privately under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home.
Please visit Ken’s permanent memorial site at https://www.wrightfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/obituary/kenneth-john-garvey/ to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.
For those who wish, contributions in Ken’s honor may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation by clicking here: https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate OR the Semper Fi Fund by clicking here: https://semperfifund.org/donate/
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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”