Obituaries

Kenneth M. Garber, WFD, Ret., passed away at his Quincy home on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at age 60. Born in Waltham where he was raised and educated, he was a graduate of Waltham High Vocational School, Class of 1971.  A  Vietnam Veteran, US Navy, Ken joined the Waltham Fire Department where he served for 32 years until retiring in 2010. He received a Fire Protection & Safety Technology Associate in Science Degree from Middlesex Community College in 2006 and had served as Vice President of the WFD Local 866. A friend of Bill W., Ken was happiest outdoors. An avid golfer, he worked at the Cohasset Golf Club and was a member of the Pembroke Country Club, a sports enthusiast and enjoyed travelling. He served for 4 years on the MA Commission for GLBT Youth and worked tirelessly for the passage of the state Transgender Equal Rights Law. He was the recipient of the MTPC Youth Committee Award in 2009, the NAGLY Spirit Award in 2010, the Pride Interfaith Award in 2011 and the Ken Garber Ally Advocacy Award in 2013. Ken was also a blessed member of Dignity/Boston, a progressive inclusive Catholic Community founded in 1972.

The beloved husband of Marcia A. (Burgess) Garber of Quincy, Ken was the proud father of Sarah E. Garber of Manchester, NH. He was predeceased by his son Christopher John Garber and his dog, Sly. The loving brother of Trisha Doucette,  Gina LeDuke, both of Waltham, Allen R. Garber of Natick, Paul Garber of Marlboro, Lawrence Garber of Watertown, Mary Garber of Pepperell  and David Garber of Clifton Park, NY. Ken is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his aunt, Honey Waldman of Sudbury.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, October 30 from 4:00 to 8:00PM at the Dennis Sweeney Funeral Home 74 Elm St. Quincy Center. Family and friends are invited. On Thursday there will be a Funeral Service in the Funeral home at 10:00AM. Burial with Military Honors is at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, Ken and Marcia ask you to keep your hearts and minds open to the endless possibilities for the greatest gift of all: LOVE. Donations may be made in Ken’s memory to: Mass Trans Political Coalition PO Box 960784, Boston MA 02196 www.masstpc.org; Dignity/Boston PO Box 170428, Boston MA  02117 www.dignityboston.org;  or National Alopecia Areata Foundation 14 Mitchell Blvd. San Rafael, CA 94903 www.naaf.org