John C. Garber

John C. “Jack” Garber, age 82, died on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital after a long illness.  He was the devoted husband of Patricia (Petrin) Vita.  Jack was born on September 22, 1940 in Bristol, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Conrad (Doucette) Garber. 

Jack graduated from Terryville High School and the University of Hartford where he earned both baccalaureate and master’s degrees.  He also held a 6^th Year Certificate in Educational Leadership. He held numerous teaching endorsements covering various grades and disciplines. Early in his teaching career he left Connecticut to travel to California to teach in a one-room schoolhouse where his students ranged from kindergarten to high school.  He returned to his Connecticut roots and continued to teach.  While attending his high school reunion he reconnected with a former classmate, Patricia Petrin Vita.  Over the next 40-plus years, they enjoyed each other and travelling throughout Europe.  Jack was also the founder of Garber Business Systems, a custom software design firm. Painting was Jack’s hobby and music, his passion.  He was a talented musician who played multiple instruments.  Jack was a member of many local bands throughout Connecticut, with the Al Root Band of Cheshire being particularly important to him.  He also taught music to many private students over the years as well as public school students at West Side Middle School in Waterbury.  He retired eventually from Waterbury Arts Magnet School, where he was the school psychologist.

In addition to his wife, Pat, Jack is survived by his stepdaughter, Suzanne Vita Loud and her husband, Edwin of Prospect; his grandson, Charles Loud III and his wife, Ashely of Middlebury; and his cherished great-granddaughter, Olivia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Jack at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish-St. Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410 on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Friends are asked to meet directly at the church.  Burial will be held privately and at the convenience of his family.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Community Foundation in support of their Arts and Culture Grant Program.  The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with his arrangements. To leave online condolences for his family, or to share a story of Jack, please visit www.fordfh.com.