Joseph Charles Garbarini's Obituary
Dr. Joseph Charles Garbarini, Jr., AFSC, FACS May 11, 1927 – August 7, 2014 Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away. He was 87. Dr. Garbarini was born in Memphis, Tennessee at St. Joseph Hospital. He was the only son of Theresa and Joseph Garbarini. In 1944, at the age of 16, he graduated from CBC; it was the first class to graduate from the campus on Parkway. During his years at Christian Brothers, he was a member of the band and jazz band. One of his fondest memories was playing sax at the YMCA; Al Hurt was in town and joined him on stage. (He never sounded better!) Dr. Joe attended the University of Notre Dame 1944 to 1946 and graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School in 1948. A graduate at the age of 21! Earlier that year he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and served his internship and surgical residency at St. Joseph Hospital. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), the American Medical Association and the Shelby County Medical Association. In 1952, Dr. Garbarini was a founding member of the St. Joseph’s Journal Club. He served as a Captain in the Air Force from 1953-1955. He was honored by Boy’s Town for his kindness and care. His proudest honor was being named a Christian Brothers Affiliate (AFSC) in 1977. In 1979 Dr. G served as President of the medical staff at St. Francis Hospital where he was also a founding member of the St. Francis Journal Club. Then in 1993 was selected as a member of the Christian Brothers Hall of Fame. He continued to practice medicine at St. Francis Partners Primary Care until June 2014. The good doctor served as a volunteer physician to Collins Chapel Hospital, the young men of Boy’s Town, and the Christian Brothers. He was a communicant of St. Louis Catholic Church. From the ages of 16 and 14, Joe and Jean Jerry were sweet hearts. In June of 1950 he married the love of his life. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. The Garbarini’s have two daughters, Vicki G. Bennett (Ed) and Darla G. Sellers (Randal). Dr. Garbarini is known as “Papa” to his four grandchildren, Braxton Dockery, Tripp Bennett, Woodson Sellers and Morgan Sellers, and two great grandchildren, Lyles and John Rex Dockery. Visitation will be Monday, August 11, 2014 at 12:30 at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Funeral Mass celebrated at 2:00 P.M. at St. Louis Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Mausoleum located within Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please honor Christian Brothers University or Christian Brothers High School. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
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