In Memory
Brian Kelley Garvey
Brian Kelley Garvey left this world on January 14, 2024, surrounded by his family. Diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in 2019, Brian lived a resolute life and was grateful for three cancer-free years after his initial treatment.
He was born in Providence, RI to Janet and Bernard Garvey and grew up in South Bend, IN. Brian was a 1972 graduate of LaSalle High School in South Bend and also attended Indiana University. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Krueger; sons, Colin Kelley (Yurie) Garvey and Devin Bernard Garvey; grandson, Tenri Garvey; sisters Carol Sue O'Malley, Maureen Murphy DeBrito, and Mary Lynn Olen; and brothers Kevin Bernard Garvey and Sean Patrick Garvey.
Brian is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Lynn Seymour.
Brian had a lifelong love of the outdoors. As a young teen, he trekked, waded, fished, and trapped miles and miles of the St. Joe River. He looked forward to the yearly Garvey family gatherings on the Lake Michigan shore—a family tradition for nearly a century. An artist since the age of 5, he had a keen sense of design. He came to Indiana University in 1974 and enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. A few years later he began his affiliation with the IU Museum of Art (now Eskenazi Museum of Art) as a draftsman, drawing ancient artifacts from the world-famous Burton Y. Berry collection at the museum. He became senior graphic designer at the museum in 1980, spending over 40 years there applying his extraordinary artistic talents to exhibition and catalog design.
Above all, Brian loved his family, their home, and land. He restored his 1850s farmhouse, grew a large garden, cut an endless supply of firewood, made maple syrup, and raised sheep, chickens, and for a time, goats and a horse named Joe. In addition to his enjoyment of the extended Garvey family, his two sons, and new grandson he had yet to meet, Brian had a wide range of friends. Quick-witted and generous with his humorous quips and vast knowledge of trivia, Brian never knew a stranger. For 27 years, he was a good friend of Bill W. and believed in the service of helping yourself by helping others in their recovery.
Brian will be sorely missed.
Memorial gifts can be made to Amethyst House where he served on the board for 20 years.
Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old State Road 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences, photos, and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com.
A celebration of Brian's life will be held in the spring.
01/19/2024 EJS
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