Obituary of Brian Garvey

Garvey Dr. Brian, MRC Psych, FRCP(C), died peacefully at home in Canning on September 25, 2013. Brian is survived by his wife Sue (Gibson); children Brigid (Andr? Lacroix), Ben (Lana Schabloski), and Nell; grandchildren Noah, Brendan, Miranda, Seamus, Samantha; sister Moira, brothers Ted, Clem, Colin, Frank. Born in Clonlara, Ireland in 1936, Brian graduated from University College Cork (MB, BCh, BAO 1960) and University College Hospital, London (DPM 1962). He was a founding member of the Royal College of Psychiatry, working in the public hospital system with a generation of innovative psychotherapists such as Anna Freud, John Bowlby, Joseph Wolpe, Heinz Wolff and R.D. Laing. 1969-72 he was consultant psychiatrist at The Priory, a private psychiatric hospital with an international clientele. In 1973, after a sabbatical year at sea aboard the 75-ft gaff ketch Polaris, Brian, Sue and the children emigrated to Canada. In Toronto Brian became consulting psychiatrist to the Addiction Research Foundation, with teaching responsibilities at the Clarke Institute. In 1975, the family moved to the Annapolis Valley where Brian began what would become nearly 40 years of service to communities throughout the Valley Region, including the Mental Health Division of the Valley Health Services (Director 1982-85); SOS Children's Village, Margaretsville, Drug & Alcohol Programs (including Crosbie House), and Mental Health Clinics in Middleton, Digby and Annapolis Royal, as well as an ongoing private practice in Canning. He was also a clinical lecturer in psychiatry at Dalhousie Medical School, but this was only one side of Brian. Many will remember a fiddle and banjo player with his gypsy wagon on the fringes of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, or at the Paddy's Pub sessions in Kentville, and many enjoyed musical evenings at his home in Canning, with all the family playing and singing. And Polaris, dominating the wharf in Port Williams during her renovations, or giving tours in Halifax Harbour, was a part of the Garveys?? world for 25 years. Brian lived life to the fullest. He had boundless energy and capacity for new ideas, ventures, friends and experiences. He was fearless in attempts to learn new skills and languages. He read voraciously and widely, loved literature and poetry, and was known to share a dram or two, sometimes over a pool table. In addition to the commitment of his professional life, Brian was by times an inventor, housebuilder, shipbuilder, machinist, wood carver and dauntless sailor. He did all this with varying degrees of success, but always with gusto and an unrelenting vision of how his life - and the lives of those around him - would be better for the shared experiences. Brian guided many, professionally and privately, through an array of traumas. All who knew him will remember his clarity of thought, strength of conviction and reliable, no-nonsense discussions and advice. Even those who disagreed with him knew and recognized the passion and caring that pervaded his work and life. Brian requested no formal funeral, but a celebration of his life will take place on October 27, 2-4 pm at the Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Valley Hospice Foundation Info@valleyhospice.ca On-line condolences may be made through www.annapolisvalleyfuneralhome.com