James “Jim” W. Garrison, 75, of Salisbury, Maryland passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2023, with his family by his side. Born in Nyack, New York, he was the son of the late Bernard and Lillian Garrison.
Jim was a Sergeant enlisted in the United States Air Force as an aircraft radio repairman for 4 years following his graduation from Albertus Magnus High School in 1965. Jim maintained a close connection with his classmates as well as his fellow servicemen and women throughout his entire life.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Jim took a part-time position with the South Nyack Police Force for two years. He was happy to be on patrol in his hometown, and even earned a citation for bravery in the short time he served as a police officer. Jim soon after worked at the New York Bell Telephone Company in Nyack, New York for the next 18 years.
A true craftsman, Jim started a paper hanging and interior painting business, Paper Dreams, in 1989 and ran it successfully for over 28 years. In that time, he continued to grow the business when his family moved to Salisbury, Maryland in 2000. Jim was a natural and patient engineer. Aside from his loving family, Jim’s other pride and joy was the meticulous restoration of a 1954 fire truck, taking 7 years to complete. The fire truck led to new hobbies with car shows, parades, and taking his grandkids along for rides in the neighborhood.
Jim was a beacon of light for his family and a true servant to the community. He was known for his vibrant, optimistic, and charismatic personality. Jim volunteered his time for many organizations over his years of service; St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen, Relay for Life, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and more recently the Wheels that Heal Car Club.
The most significant contribution to the community was his dedicated service as a volunteer firefighter, following the family footsteps of generations before him. Jim was a proud, lifetime member of Empire Hook & Ladder Company No.1 in the Nyack Fire Department for over 35 years. He was also a member of the Rockland County Fire Chiefs and Rockland County Firefighters Associations.
Jim had a golden heart with a smile forever shining. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane Garrison; his four children, Kevin Garrison and his wife Jeneane, Vinny Garrison and his wife Siobhan, Julie Morrow and her husband Vance, and Elaine Garrison. He was a proud Poppy to seven beautiful grandchildren, Nicholas, Keira, Ryan, Reid, Quinn, Janie, and Lucy; and an inspiring Godfather to his nephew, Steven Garrison, and niece, Jill Leyden. Jim is also survived by one brother, Richard Garrison and his wife Dottie; and three sisters, Mary Leyden and her husband, Lee, Peggy Gleason and her husband, Ed, and Carol O’Connor. He was preceded in death by one brother, Tommy Garrison.
A mass and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at St. Ann's R.C. Church, 16 Jefferson Street, Nyack, NY 10960 where a firematic service will be held prior to mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Jim’s memory to Wheels that Heal Car Club, P.O. Box 1754, Salisbury, MD 21802.
