Southbridge: John F. Garby, 78, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 12th, in the Hartford Hospital, after a brief illness.

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Mary Ann (Ireland) Garby; his son, Christopher Garby and his wife Jessica Bartley of Nottingham, NH; his daughter, Jennifer Westwell and her husband Joseph of Southbridge; his granddaughter, Emily Westwell of Southbridge; his sister-in-law, Maureen Ireland of Sturbridge; and nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann Rosa.  John was born in Stratford, CT the son of the late Paul P. and Frances (Raziuk) Garby.  John received his bachelor's degree in Safety and Health from the University of New Haven.

John was the Director of Safety, Health and Environment for Hasbro Games/Milton Bradley in East Longmeadow for several years, retiring many years ago.  He previously worked for many years for DuPont in Fairfield, CT and later for Wyman Gordon in Grafton.  John was active with the Boy Scouts, he was an assistant Scout Master for Troop 160 in Southbridge and was active with the Mohegan Council of the Boy Scouts.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Detriana Council 199 in Southbridge.

John was a devoted Catholic and a longtime member of St. Mary's Parish, later St. John Paul II Parish in Southbridge.  He was a longtime volunteer at the St. John Paul II Food Pantry.  John recently was a member of St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish in Sturbridge and served there as a Lector and a Eucharistic Minister.  He was also a member of the Lay Assumptionists Society at the parish.

Above all John was a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He especially had a great love for his granddaughter, Emily.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17th, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 11:00am in St. Mary's Church of the St. John Paul II, 263 Hamilton St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in New Notre Dame Cemetery, Southbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Monday, Oct. 16th, from 4:00 to 6:00pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. John Paul II Food Pantry, 279 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA 01550 or to St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish, 16 Church St., Fiskdale, MA 01518.