Joseph (Joe) Michael Garvey, Jr., age 77, died peacefully at home on March 13, 2014.

Born in Baltimore in 1936 to Joseph and Ruth Garvey, he graduated from Mt. St. Joseph's High School where he was a noted orator and debate team member. Joe met his sweetheart, Maria Noel Reinecke, at a CYO dance in Catonsville and they were married in 1958. Graduating as an ROTC student from the University of Maryland with a horticulture degree, he served in the USAF as a "Cold Warrior" air traffic controller in Florida, the Pacific Northwest, and West Germany, and was discharged honorably as a Captain. Joe was the proud father of a daughter and five sons, and he loved and cared deeply for his son-in-law and five daughters-in-law. Joe was proudest of his 13 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Following his military service, Joe went on to serve as a horticulturist at the National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, National Arboretum, and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Joe left government service to live his dream, along with his family, of owning and operating a berry and fruit farm in the Pacific Northwest. In 1976, he established a greenhouse construction firm in central Maryland, serving both residential and commerical customers for many years. Joe loved fishing, sailing, sharing his Severn River home, and introducing all to his love of the natural world.  Always an adventurer, Joe enjoyed travel with his wife, family, and friends. He was a long-time parishioner of Saint Bernadette's in Severn, where he served as lector and floral designer.

Joe is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, by his brother and sister, and by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and good friends.

Arrangements by Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park.
A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Sunday March 16, 2014 from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm.

A Mass to celebrate Joe's life will be held at Saint Bernadette Parish on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 11:00am.

If you wish to make a donation in Joe's memory, his family kindly requests that you consider either:

Saint Bernadette Parish
801 Stevenson Road
Severn, MD 21144

or

Hospice of the Chesapeake
Philanthropy Department
90 Ritchie Highway
Pasadena, MD 21122.