The Life of Mark C. Garvey
Mark C. "Skid" Garvey, 68, of Longswamp Township, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 29, 2019 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Susanne K. (De Vogel) Garvey, whom he married in 1994 and renewed their vows together on August 4, 1995.
Born in Philadelphia, Mark was a son of the late Joseph J. and Gertrude E. (Dawson) Garvey. A Contractor by trade, Mark was the owner and operator of Garvey’s Roofing and Construction, Longswamp Twp., for over 35 years. Mark was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He loved collecting many things, traveling, and enjoyed the outdoors and his garden. His passion was his home and spent every day he could building onto it and creating it how he had envisioned. Mark was also member of several area rod and gun clubs. Mark was a very caring man who touched so many lives with his generosity. He worked hard to provide for his family and made sure to give them a great life. He was so funny and witty and had nicknames for almost everyone. He was always the life of any party and loved to have fun and be happy. Mark loved the color green and even though he liked every animal, but he was passionate about his dogs. His home was beautifully accented with rhododendrons.
Mark always wanted his children to be happy and successful in life. Some of his favorite memories were meeting his wife, Susanne and the birth of his children. Mark loved and cherished everyone he knew. Of his many quotes, please remember Mark by one of the cleanest..."Don't let the door hit you on the way out".
In addition to his wife Susanne, Mark is survived by his three children, Joelene E. Garvey, Collegeville, PA, Sean M. Garvey, New Tripoli, PA, and Linnea J. Garvey, at home; a grandson, Ricky A. Kelly; and five siblings, James D. Garvey, Southern California, Joseph H. Garvey, East Norriton Twp., PA, John L. Garvey, East Norriton Twp., PA, Judith A. (Garvey) Sasse, Philadelphia, PA, and Joan L. (Garvey) Karr, San Diego, CA. Along with his parents, Mark was predeceased by his sister, Jeanne A. (Garvey) Carboni.
A visitation with Mark's family will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, PA. A time for sharing memories will begin at 8:00 p.m.
The family requests contributions be made in Mark's memory to www.gofundme.com/f/mark-garvey-memorial. These donations will be divided in the future and be given to different organizations that Mark supported.
Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.
Filter Mark C. Garvey's Timeline by the following Memory Categories
2019.12.04
Empty spot
The first time I met him I liked him. The second time we became like brothers. He was brash, opinionated, funny and talented. He also worked hard and smart on anything that he did, which included a wide variety of interests. He was a builder, mechanic, cook, farmer, engineer, gunsmith, interior decorator, woodsman and a host of other things too numerous to mention. But, above all, what stands out to me the most was his love and loyalty for his friends. His family was the focus if his life, but his friends came in as a very close second. He came off as tough and crusty to some, but I am convinced that it was just to disguise his very big-hearted generosity. I miss him intensely, but I appreciate having had the pleasure to know him for almost three decades.
2019.12.04
My Hero
Mark,
You left too soon, my heart aches for you💔 You and I are so much alike. I actually worshiped you, every time I spoke with you I laughed for days. You had such a way of making me feel good.
You will be greatly missed by your family, Susanne, Jolene, Sean and Nea. I will miss your sense of humor and the closeness we had.
I will see you again Mark, when God calls me.
I love you brother with all my heart and soul.
LOVE YOU, Joan 💔✝️
2019.12.04
We will miss you
Mark was a great guy! Funny, kind and amazing, He was like a brother to my brother and will be greatly missed, He made my family and I laugh. Matter of fact he made everyone laugh, ! You are in heaven with lots of loved people! You can continue to make them laugh. To one hell of a special person. Taken way way too soon
2019.12.05
Like a father to me
Mark AKA Dad Garvey, we've had many memories back when I was best friends with Linnea. I was always over on the weekends and you always told us that we were meant to be twins. You cared so much about your family and you even called me your own at one point. You knew how to put a smile on my face and even laughed everytime the pups would come after me and I would get afraid. You and Linnea were very close and you knew her from head to toe. You two were the same person and always understood her. Linnea is such an amazing woman and I promise that I'll be there to comfort her. Rest Easy Dad Garvey 💙
2019.12.06
when we were younger
THE RED BARN,HANGING OUT, BARNSVILLE RUNS, THE FRIENDSHIP THAT EXISTED BETWEEN SOME BIKERS,OH THEY WERE THE DAYS,SAY HI TO DOUG LOWERY, FRANK KERSTIER, PIZZA, SKINNY,CHET AND THE REST OF THE GUYS AND GALS THAT HAD PARTICIPATED IN OUR GLORY DAYS ADIOUS FOR NOW MY FRIEND,YOU MAY BE GONE FOR NOW BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TRICK, MICK, JOE MCGUIRE,AND ALLTHE FOLKS THAT EVER HAD THE PRIVLIGED TO BE A PART OF YOUR WORLD GOODBYE FOR NOW WE WILL MEET AGAIN.
2019.12.06
We’ll Miss You
I remember when I first met Mark 15 years ago. I thought for the longest time that his name was Garvey. Everybody just called him that..but Mark is a much better fit.
Some people just have that special something about them. That is Mark. Always smiling..upbeat..joking..interested in you. And absolutely genuine. He would talk about his family and you could hear the love in his voice. If you needed something..Mark was ready to help. He never said no but instead always responded with “Don’t worry darlin’..we’ll get you taken care of!” and he kept his word.
I’m so glad to have spent time with him Wednesday. Friday he was gone. Life is short and people come and go..but memories are forever. Mark is someone who made your day brighter when you were with him because of his huge personality and big smile. That is what I’ll remember about him. And I will smile.
2019.12.06
My Friend
If we’re lucky we meet someone in our life that we have a special connection with. I was fortunate to meet Mark fifteen years ago and make that special connection.
I’m grateful to have called him my friend! I miss him! Love you Mark!
2019.12.07
So many memories, so little time
I'm so very glad that we met your family almost 30 years ago. If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't have met my bestie, your wife Susanne. My kids would have never got to play together, go on family vacations together and watch each others children grow and sadly, die. But even in my most dark moments, I knew I could count on the Garveys and you guys didn't disappoint. There are so many memories and fun stories that I would love to share, but can only think of a few! And some are just not suitable here! I hope that I am worthy of helping your family through this. I will never forget you or think of you, until we meet over the rainbow again. Broken hearts will ease, but there will never, ever be another Skid Mark.
2019.12.07
My Son in Law
The world will be a poorer place without you
without your humor and commitment
without your generosity and helpfulness
Thank you for being a faithful friend and for being
the cliff in existence for my beloved grandchildren and my Susanne
We´ll meet i Nangijala,,,,,,
You have a place in my heart forever
Rest in peace dear Mark
2019.12.08
The Love of my Life
My Love
Words alone cannot describe all that was you. You were strong, touch, a softy at heart, handsome, kind, hardworking, creative, happy, honest and had a sense of fairness that few have. You would take extra care of the elderly, disabled and the poor, always ensuring they got a break after you had completed a job for them. Your opinionated personality had been shaped by your intense and adventurous life and eventough your life had been affected by some dark days you were always happy and you loved to be funny and have fun. No one else made me laugh as much as you did. You loved your family so deeply and did everything for them. The intense LOVE you and I shared was rare and I will never again love another as deeply as I have for the past thirty years you were mine. We were fortunate to have two great children and your daughter Jolene, my stepdaughter. We were blessed to have our beautiful grandson Ricki. Mark.., my heart is scattered into a million pieces and as we remember you today we will cry and laugh when thinking and speaking of you. You were taken too soon from me! WHY?! We had so many plans for our future still ! You are mine forever and I will always love you as deeply and unconditionally as I have during our life together. Rest in peace MY LOVE. I must remain here but I am looking forward to the day we meet again.. I love you.
Your wife,
Susanne