Frank Garvey passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 14th, after recent health complications, at the age of nearly 88 years.
Frank was born to Frank Garvey and his wife Margaret (Meehan) in Dorchester, Massachusetts in December of 1935. The young family briefly moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts, and after about a year put their permanent “roots-down” in Melrose, Massachusetts. Frank was a true scion of Melrose, where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Frank was the big brother of four sisters: Mary Lou Donnelly, husband Mike, of Shelburne, Vermont, Christine Riccardi, husband Robert, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, Jane Analetto, husband Joseph, (predeceased), of Scituate, Massachusetts and Margaret (Peggy) Moses, husband Joel, (predeceased), of Weston, Massachusetts.
Frank was the loving husband of the late Maureen (O’Connell) his high school sweetheart from Melrose High School and life partner. He was the devoted father of Jackie Petinge of Wilmington, Massachusetts, Mary McCarthy, of Marietta Georgia, and Michael Garvey of Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts. He was a loving and caring father-in-law to Stephen Petinge, Michael McCarthy and Nancy Garvey. A proud grandfather to five grandchildren, Michael and William McCarthy, and their wives Christina and Alison from Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia, Jennifer Raslavich and her husband Christopher from Washington DC, Stephen Petinge and his partner, Catherine Murray from Woburn, MA, and Jack Garvey from Manchester by the Sea. He has been blessed with four great grandchildren, Savannah Betty and Caroline McCarthy, Cora Ruth McCarthy and Noah Daniel Petinge.
Frank loved his extended family. He deeply appreciated the support and encouragement of his sister-in-law Jean O’Connell, the wife of Jack O’Connell, his sisters and all his beloved nieces and nephews in his family.
Frank was deeply invested in the well-being and happenings of his children and grandchildren, providing spiritual and material support. He was always present and proactive in understanding their life path and development.
Born and raised in the wake of the great depression and depriving environment of World War II, Frank learned at an early age the value of business and providing for others. At an early age he raised chickens for the egg money to provide some extra comforts for himself and his sisters. Frank was all business. He was a Certified Public Account, and an “accountant’s, accountant.” After high school he graduated from Bentley College and earned his certified public accountant (CPA) designation.
Frank applied his education and earlier experiences to industry and eventually family office as the Chief Financial Officer and trusted family advisor. He pivoted his career experience to work in government for Mass Highway, during the tumultuous time of the high profile “big dig” project in Massachusetts. In his role he navigated the difficult political perils of several administrations and was relied upon by the Federal Highway administration as the “truth.”
Frank’s most enduring joy was in spending his life journey with his wife Maureen, where they toured life both locally and afar. They spent both the exciting and mundane events in perfect harmony managing the highs and lows. He was energized with the life events of his children and grandchildren and giving back to his community. Most noticeably, he was a transformational board member at Saint Mary’s School, in Melrose. For many years he applied his business experience to provide clarity of purpose and legacy stability.
His relatively long life gave him the wisdom to adapt and look at life and relationships holistically over a period of incredible change in this world. Frank leaves many friends, remembered for his generous engagement in relationships, his sound advice and counsel, and his optimistic outlook on making things better. Frank took pride in mentoring others while respecting diversity and outlook.
A celebration of his life will be conducted on October 27th, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose, Massachusetts. Burial to follow the mass at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Stoneham.
