In Loving Memory of
Thomas "Tom" Allen McGarvey
1953 ~ 2024
Obituary of Thomas "Tom" Allen McGarvey
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tom on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the age of 70. Tom passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by the love and comfort of his family. Tom went to be with his Lord and Saviour. He was the best friend and loving husband of Kathy for 43 years, cherished son of Mary Robins (née Dilts), loving brother of Cathy McGarvey (Mark Willard), twin brothers the late Ralph and the late Randy, Joy FitzGerald (Eric), Sharon McGarvey (Roger Dawes), Craig McGarvey (Kim), and his step-siblings Nancy, Debbie, Tom, Anna and David as well as his brother and sister-in-law Brian Bell and Susan Fitzgerald-Bell. He will be lovingly remembered by his 17 nieces and nephews. Tom will be greatly missed by his extended Ridgway family and his other wonderful friends.Tom had many interests in life. When he was young, he loved swimming and was an instructor in the swimming program at Camp Mini-Ye-We. As a teenager he fell in love with flying airplanes and acquired his private pilot license. He enjoyed many hours of flying with his family and friends. He was a British car enthusiast owning several sport cars, including two Austin Healeys. He was a glazier by trade and loved creating leaded glass pieces. He also enjoyed travelling first with his friends and later with his wife Kathy. Tom met Kathy at a BBQ and the rest is history. Over the years, they have shared many wonderful times together travelling, gardening, cottaging and, in fact, in later years, they fulfilled their life long dream of building a cottage in Muskoka. They also spent countless hours working with Youth for Christ and teaching Sunday school.
A special thanks to the kind nurses of Care Partners and the Saint Elizabeth palliative care team and the PSWs of Bayshore for their care and compassion during his final days.
Following his wishes, cremation will take place and a time to offer comfort has been set aside on Monday, April 1, 2024 from 6:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m at Essentials Cremation and Burial Services, 102A-4300 Drummond Road, Niagara Falls. A celebration of life will be held at Grace Gospel Church, 5855 Valley Way, Niagara Falls on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m followed by a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations to Youth for Christ or Camp Mini-Yo-We would be greatly appreciated by Tom’s family.
For those wishing to view a livestream of the service for Tom, please visit https://www.graceniagara.ca/watch-live at 11 a.m.
Service Information
Visitation
Date: April 1, 2024Start Time: 6:00 pm
End Time: 8:00 pm
Venue: Essentials Cremation and Burial Services, 102A-4300 Drummond Road, Niagara Falls.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W4o4hK3SxuPLBRM96
A Celebration of Life
Date: April 2, 2024Start Time: 11:00 am
End Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: Grace Gospel Church, 5855 Valley Way, Niagara Falls
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zoGEmk9SySN9BefV9
For those wishing to view a livestream of the service for Tom, please visit https://www.graceniagara.ca/watch-live at 11 a.m.
Reception
Date: April 2, 2024Start Time: 12:30 pm
End Time: 2:00 pm
Venue: Grace Gospel Church, 5855 Valley Way, Niagara Falls
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zoGEmk9SySN9BefV9
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Donations
The family of Thomas "Tom" Allen McGarvey would like you to consider placing a donation to one of the following charities:
Youth for ChristVisit Site
Camp Mini-Yo-We
Visit Site
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So very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He and Kathy were wonderful mentors to my brother Joel and I in our youth group years. I will always remember his steady hand and leadership and am forever grateful for their kindness in taking a group of wild unscrupulous teens to a music festival in the US in the 90’s! What an adventure. Rest well Tom and all of our love to Kathy,
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Kathy ~ Tom will be Forever in our Hearts ~ Love Gary & Ferne Holmes
I was very saddened to hear about Tom’s passing. He was a great friend and mentor growing up. We always had fun together, playing war out in the yard, down in the basement (quietly) listening to record albums like deep purple or out driving the Austin Healey’s!! I could not have asked for a better friend and neighbour. He will be missed. Our condolences to the family.
Love
Sondi and Pat
Thinking of Tom this day and always, until the time I will see him again on the other side of the Jordan. You were a great friend Tom. I am so glad that you are now healed and set free from the pains of this life. You were such a blessing to me.
So sorry to hear this news. I had the pleasure of working with Tom for a number of years at GM. Just remember what a pleasant, happy, decent person he was. Sending my condolences to his family.
Dear Kathy and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. On behalf of our family please accept our deepest sympathies. He will be missed,
Steve, Janet, Sean and Matthew Ditmore
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathy to Tom’s family circle. May God’s love, peace, and blessing surround you all at this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss Julie and family.
Kathy and family you are in my thoughts at this difficult time
Dear Kathy just want to make you and the family circle aware that all of us here in Northern Ireland are thinking and praying for you at this sad time.
The last time I saw Tom was quite a while ago when he ,would you believe ,had long hair and was walking down the hill towards the bungalow to call in for a cup of tea !!!!!
Again thinking of you all at this time
Love and God Bless
Dear Cath! I am so very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult and sad time! Hugs for everyone!!
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to Tom’s family in your loss. As the first and oldest of the McGarvey cousins (Tom was 4th) it makes me realize just how short our time on earth is but we will all meet again one day in heaven.
Thinking of you in this difficult time
Dear Kathy~ Much Love & Sympathy extended to you from us ~Gary & Ferne Holmes~
~ We have lost a dear friend & co-worker of my husband ~Gary has very wonderful memories of meeting with Tom for coffee after retirement ~
Tom had searched for a stained glass orange to repair our lighting fixture in the Dining Room ~It had taken some time but we were very grateful that Tom was willing to do this for us , as we knew he was a very busy man
Gary & I enjoyed your company as a couple when we went to dinner a few times a number of years back with friends ~ We remember the friendly laughter 🙂
Kathy ,you always sent such lovely Christmas cards over the years (which by the way I have saved)
Tom was a very good & kind friend & he will be missed
Love & Peace
Gary & Ferne Holmes
My heartfelt condolences to Kathy and Tom’s family immediate and extended. Tom was a very caring person and will truly be missed by many. His legacy of kindness and compassion are a true testament to his character and steadfast faith. Rest gently Tom
My heart breaks for Kathy. I loved Tom. He played a major role in my life as a teen. So kind and caring with a genuine sensitive heart to God and those around him. I was part of the group that went to Creation music festival where my relationship with Christ became real and my life changed forever. A story I always tell was when I went with Tom and Jay Ridgway up in his plane. We were going down the runway to take off and Tim let me steer the plane. I was steering and the plane kept veering to the left or right so I kept compensating to keep it straight. Only when the plane went in the complete opposite direction of where I was steering and I was freaking out that I didn’t know what was going on, did I realize you don’t steer the plane with the wheel but with the foot pedals. Tom was steering with his feet the whole time! It was a great joke. I felt dumb but Tom’s smile and Jay’s laugh made it a story I have told till this day. Tom always had a special place in my heart and memories. I love the McGarvey’s.
Thoughts and prayers and hugs for the family but especially for Kathy. It was a blessing to get to know Tom through mutual friends. Many great discussions laughter and conversations were shared.
May God’s peace surround you with loving memories to cherish.
Mary Ann Joyce