Leo F. Garvey, Jr.

At 88 years old Leo passed away in his sleep on Monday morning, August 9th, 2021.  He died from the physical complications associated with dementia.

Leo was born in Cambridge MA and spent his entire youth in Winchester MA.  Leo was the 2nd of 7 children in a family of nine.

Throughout life his best friend was his now late younger brother Jack.  They shared adventures from childhood through adulthood and had great times together.

As a teenager Leo had an interest in cars and going fast.  He drove in a couple of spectator races in the 50’s and wisely decided not to pursue this dream, but he never left the racing scene.  For decades he could be found in the pits and stands at Star Speedway, Hudson Speedway, and Lee Speedway, nearly every race weekend.  With his wife Sally, they would travel to races all over New England with an annual pilgrimage to Race Week in Daytona Florida and the Oxford 250 weekend in Maine.  Later in life he would travel to NASCAR Cup series events up and down the East coast with his children.  Leo had many great friends in and around the stock car racing world.

A 30+ year seasonal camper at David Reynolds’ Sanborn Shore Acres in Hampstead New Hampshire where he too had many great friends, particularly David Reynolds, who he spent time with nearly daily.  Once Leo retired he could also be found on a stool at the English Muffin in Hampstead NH for breakfast and/or lunch more days than not.

Leo spent much of his career as a dispatcher for Casey & Hayes Movers in South Boston, MA.  Later he would become co-owner of All Star Towing in Woburn, MA.  Leo retired from Malden Mills in Lawrence MA in the late 90’s.

At the age of 62 Leo had a heart attack resulting in a quintuple by-pass and mechanical valve replacement.  He’d had a heart murmur likely all of his life, first detected when he failed an Army medical entrance exam in his teens. Post surgery Leo's heart surgeon happily announced that Leo was now tuned up for 90 years old.

Leo had received excellent care from the staff at Hampstead Family Medicine, and PA Sarah Vandeventer, while in Hampstead.  Covid was hard for Leo as his entire social network was shut-down.  Doctor visits were on hold and visiting nurses stepped in.  Over the last 13 months Leo needed 24 hour care and became a resident of MI Health in Lawrence MA.  He was very happy in the memory unit there, received excellent care, and his caretakers quickly became his friends.  Leo got his social network back!

Predeceased by his mother and father, Leo Garvey and Evelyn Garvey of Winchester MA; his wife Sally (Elliott) Garvey; sister Patricia (Garvey) McLaughlin, and brother John (Jack) Garvey.

He is survived by sisters Jean Morin-Garvey of Maine, Anne (Susie) Garvey, Mary (Garvey) McLaughlin, brother Richard and wife Patricia, and Jack’s wife Joan Garvey, all of Massachusetts.  He also leaves many upstanding nieces and nephews, all with families of their own.

Father to three he leaves Leo & Gail Garvey of Long Island, New York;  Susan Garvey;  Mark & Christine Garvey, all of Massachusetts.  Grandson Leo and wife Elena Garvey of Brooklyn, New York; Granddaughter April and husband Brian Ray of Long Island, NY.

His wife Sally’s family and children were also a big part of Leo’s life through the years.  Sister-in-law Mary (Elliott) and Manny Priante of Massachusetts; Step-daughter Cindy Walkowicz and partner Karen Reynolds;  step-daughter Ann Walkowicz, all of Florida;  step-son Michael Walkowicz of Massachusetts.

Leo also has five great grandchildren and managed to spend two recent Winters in New York enjoying them all.

Leo always said he’d outlived most of his life-long friends, which was true, but he had many new young, not-so-old, and even older acquaintances that became dear friends all along the way.  Life was good!

If you’d like to, please plant a tree in Leo’s memory, or make a donation in Leo's name to the Make-a-Wish Foundation in your state.  Leo’s funeral services will be private for family.

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