Gregory Garbera

Gregory Charles Garbera passed away on Friday, February 23rd at his home in Phoenix, AZ at the age of 62. He was born in Ilion, NY on January 7th, 1962 to Michael H. Garbera, Jr. and his wife Morganna E. Garbera (née Coleman) and was the third of their five children. Raised in the rural upstate NY village of Richfield Springs, he was mischievous and bold even as a child, often to his parents’ frustration, which he loved to recall fondly. Gregarious and social (fittingly voted “Class Flirt” in high school), the memories he forged in his youth would stay with him always and he enjoyed reminiscing about his exploits with his friends and family, especially those involving his older brother Mike, with whom he would often compete but would more frequently partner in the rambunctious hijinks of their younger days, and his sisters Brenda and Lisa, over whom he felt an obligation to watch and protect. As a student, his intelligence and aptitude were evident despite his best efforts to avoid serious study, and those who knew him would often marvel at his ability to recall facts and details across a wide range of subjects, especially history. He exceled in high school as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball, maintaining a lifelong love of sports even as the excitement of the football fields and basketball courts gave way to the leisure of bowling alleys and golf courses.

Adventurous in spirit, he headed west after graduating high school to Phoenix, AZ, where he ultimately met and fell in love with Ramona Hernandez. The two were married on April 20th, 1985, and together they welcomed two beautiful boys, Gregory and Matthew, who, along with his future daughters-in-law and grandchildren, would be his biggest source of pride and joy. It was as a father and husband that his life would ultimately come full circle. From the mischievousness of his youth grew the guiding wisdom of a mentor. From the strong familial bonds of his childhood grew a love for and devotion to his large new extended family, especially Mona’s parents and her many sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. From his days as a player grew the leadership and support of a coach to his own children and grandchildren. And from the experience and skills accumulated throughout his life grew the talents of a tradesman and craftsman, someone who could repair or build just about anything, and who would gladly do so for those he cared about.

His beautiful smile, sense of humor, and outgoing nature meant that his presence was always felt as soon as he entered a room. He gave everyone his respect and attention, and if his passionate opinions were quick to cause or find offense, he was just as quick to apologize or forgive. While keenly aware of the differences that divide us, he was far more prone to find the common threads that unite us, and he sought, in his own way and in his corner of the world, to defend the underdogs and those he felt were unfairly targeted. He loved to compete in all sorts of games and contests, from horseshoes to cornhole to billiards to poker to HORSE, and he always competed to win (which he usually did); but even in those moments, he was always helping and encouraging, secretly pulling for you to succeed the whole time since the time together was more important to him than the wins and losses.

We will miss his love of animals, especially dogs. We will miss watching The History Channel and discussing movies with him. We will miss watching him spend time with his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, all of whom he adored. We will miss the jokes and stories that he could endlessly recall in great detail and that he loved to share. But most of all we will miss him as a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, all of which was made possible because he was, at his core, a wonderful person who found the most happiness in the simple joys of life: his friends and family. His absence will always be felt by those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife Mona, together for over 40 years and with whom he would have celebrated their 39th anniversary in April; his son Gregory J. Garbera and his wife Jill Garbera of Mesa, AZ; his son Matthew C. Garbera and his wife Staci Delgado of Glendale, AZ; his sister Brenda Babcock and her husband Rodger Babcock of Jacksonville, FL; his brother Michael Garbera III and his fiancée Bianca Kessler of Richfield Springs, NY; his sister Lisa Van Winkler and her husband Mitchell Van Winkler of Richfield Springs, NY; his brother Chad Garbera and his wife Farzaneh Samie of South Glastonbury, CT; his mother-in-law Rebecca Hernandez of Avondale, AZ; his sister-in-law Christina Griego of Phoenix, AZ; his brother-in-law Steven Hernandez and his wife Mary Hernandez of Flagstaff, AZ; his sister-in-law Loretta Deusterman and her husband Todd Deusterman of Peoria, AZ; his sister-in-law Lorraine Campos and her husband Raul Gallo of Peoria, AZ; his sister-in-law Cecelia Southworth and her husband Paul Southworth of Laveen, AZ; his sister-in-law Gracie Hernandez and her husband Mike Rueda of Buckeye, AZ; his sister-in-law Anna Hernandez of Phoenix, AZ; and his brother-in-law Anthony Hernandez and his wife Valerie Hernandez of Phoenix, AZ. He is survived by 5 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 31 nieces and nephews, and 19 great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Avenidas Funeral Chapel in Avondale, AZ on March 8th from 2:00pm-4:00pm. The family requests that any memorial contributions be made in Greg’s memory to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.