Dedication

In Memory of

John J. "Johnny" Garrison

1918-1995

Originally from New York City, Johnny's work brought him and his wife, Margaret, to Charlottesville in the early 1960s. After 41 years of service to Cooper Industries, Johnny retired and filled his time in part by volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the Food Pantry of Holy Comforter Catholic Church, of which he was a member. And of course there were the dog walks...

Johnny and his canine companion (Buffy, a yellow lab mix, for the last decade or so) were regulars at Azalea park and befriended everyone who came there, human and canine alike. Every human who arrived at the park was greeted with a friendly "Hello," every dog with a pat on the head and a biscuit. With his warmth, thoughtfulness and great sense of humor, Johnny made sure that no one was a stranger at Azalea Park for long.

A member of the Catholic Church, Johnny embodied the true spirit of his faith. His generosity was extended not only to those less fortunate than him but also to his friends. He often treated fellow park regulars to Saturday breakfasts at Shoneys and made a daily routine of transporting to Azalea Park several dogs whose owners were unable to make it to the park each day. Johnny was also generous with his sense of humor. You could always count on him to tell a good joke (always clean) and to get you with the occasional practical joke (always kind). Even in fun, Johnny was a gentleman.

In spite of extraordinary hardships in his life--the loss of his older son John Jr. to a drunk driver (the night before John Jr. was to have shipped out to Vietnam) and the losses of his wife and younger son William to illness--Johnny was not bitter. He faced his own death with courage and grace, grateful for the life he had been given. He accepted what lay ahead and looked forward to being rejoined with his beloved Margaret. Likewise, while those of us who were fortunate enough to have known Johnny miss him dearly, we look back with gratitude for the gift of his friendship and cherish the memories he left us.

Before his death, Johnny's friends and neighbors expressed their love and appreciation for him by planting two trees in Azalea park. A Maple was planted near the gardens, just down the hill from Johnny's house, in memory of Johnny's son, William, who had recently succombed to cancer. A redbud was planted across the driveway from the "dog area" in honor of Johnny.