Gerald Garvey
Edwardsville | Save
Gerald “Jay” Garvey II, 63, passed away at 3:23 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025 at BJC Evelyn’s House in St. Louis. He was born April 25, 1962 in Alton, the son of the late Gerald Garvey and Cynthia (Kodros) Garvey of Godfrey.
He had various occupations throughout his career including electronics engineer, small business owner, and IT consultant. Jay spent the last year doing what he really loved to do, which was renovating houses with his son, Collin and his friend, Jerry. Jay’s DIY skills will live on in almost every room of the house he shared with his wife, Aby. His most important role was that of father to his son, Collin, and daughter, Kailea, and he would have made an incredible grandpa to Cooper, who will be joining the family in early 2026.
On May 9, 1997 Jay married Aby in St. Charles, Missouri in a storybook-esque wedding complete with a white horse-drawn carriage. They settled into a quiet neighborhood where Jay was an unassuming role model for others - a great husband, father, coworker, friend, and neighbor who was often seen in the front yard playing with his dog, Colbie, and sharing a smile with neighbors as they walked by.
He was the kind of guy you could talk to about anything, and the guy you wanted to share a cold beer or watch a football game with, all while soaking in his wit, wisdom, sarcasm and humor. Jay was also an inspiration to many throughout his life, especially during the last seven months, as he courageously battled pancreatitis. Toward that, the family would like to thank all the family, friends, neighbors and coworkers who supported Team Garvey during Jay’s illness.
Jay’s legacy will live on in the amazing people he leaves behind: his wife, Aby, his son, Collin Garvey (Abby), his daughter, Kailea Garvey (Halston Heck), his sister, Linda Fry (Clark), his two brothers, Michael Garvey, Brian Garvey (Ali Hankins), his brother-in-law, Lloyd Peterson (Susan Peterson), his sister-in-law, Amy Peterson (Mark Oemke), his nieces and nephews, Aaron Fry, Cody Fry, Clayton Garvey, Jackson Garvey, Youma Garvey, Kyma Garvey, Mayma Garvey, Emma Peterson, Sarah Peterson, Arthur Oemke, Virginia Oemke (Brian Lydick), Rebecca Torgovnikov (Eugene), Holly Madarash (Zach), and two special people whom he always considered family, Mamiko Garvey and Stephanie Garvey (Chad Schnarre).
Services will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton, Illinois. Visitation will be from 3:00-6:00 p.m., followed by a 6:00 p.m. Celebration of Life Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to APA of Missouri, which is where Jay and Aby rescued their second dog, Buddy, or Habitat for Humanity to celebrate his love of restoring homes for the good of people and communities.
Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
Gent Funeral Home
