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Richard Thomas Garber Sr. (known to many as Tom or Dick), 81, of Ruskin, Fla., passed away peacefully Dec. 4, 2024. Tom was born in Shoemaker, Pa., and raised in Brooks Mills. He was a son of the late Leroy P. Garber and Dorothy A. (Noel) Garber of Brooks Mills.
He attended Hollidaysburg High School and left to join the U.S. Navy on March 5, 1962. Later that year, he married Mary McLaughlin of Boston, Mass., on Dec. 11, 1962.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his oldest son, Richard T. Garber Jr.; and two brothers, Charles W. Garber of Duncansville and John L. Garber of Hollidaysburg.
Surviving is his beloved wife of 61 years, Mary (Tom and Mary were about to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary); a daughter, Cheryl (Richard) Bourque of Ruskin, Fla.; a son, Mark A. Garber (Brigitte) of Farmington, N.H.; and 10 grandchildren: Justin, Nolan and Joely Garber, Jackson, Quinn, Peyton and Jonah Bourque, Aby and Evryn Garber and Brayden Lopez; six sisters: Mary Foor, Christine Post, Cathy Garber, Nancy Piper, Robin Ritchey and Betty Yingling; and two brothers, Leroy P. Garber Jr. and Mark Garber Sr.
Tom and Mary resided on the North Shore of Massachusetts, where they raised their family. He started a family construction business, Garber & Sons, and later worked for many years as the manager of Peabody City Skating Rink. On May 5, 2009, Tom was inducted into the Zamboni Hall of Fame. After retiring, he built a log cabin home and resided in Epping, N.H., before moving to Ruskin, Fla., to live with their daughter and family.
Tom was a very skilled carpenter and enjoyed making projects for his family. He also had many mechanical abilities and loved to fish.
A memorial service is being planned for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at St. Patrick's in Newry for family and friends.