Obituary of Dr. Gary Garfield
Monticello, NY
Life gave Dr. Gary Garfield everything he could have hoped for.
He was proud to have practiced medicine for more than 50 years, the last 35 taking care of neighbors in the community where his family put down roots. Best of all, he loved sharing the rewards of life with his wife, Gloria, and their family. There was nothing fancy about Gary. Give him a day of seeing patients and an evening at home and he was a contented man.
If only pancreatic cancer hadn’t taken him on Tuesday, July 14. He was 80.
Gary was born on March 20, 1946, the oldest of Dr. Sam and Jean Garfield’s three children. Growing up in Elmont and then Woodmere on Long Island, the first hint of an interest in medicine came in seventh grade. That’s when he and his best friend, Richie Bohn, dissected a frog and their teacher bragged on them at a PTA meeting. Gary graduated from Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst, N.Y., and Temple University in Philadelphia. He remained in Philadelphia for medical school, then completed an internal medicine residency at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark. That was followed by fellowships in pulmonary medicine at several hospitals in Newark. From 1977 to 1985, he served as Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at United Hospital in Newark.
In 1985, Gary and Gloria moved to Monticello, where he joined Dr. Julian Jacobs in practice. Three years later, he opened his own practice. After 20 years, he joined Sullivan Internal Medicine. Throughout, he chose to practice in a part of the state that deserved better access to health care. He followed the example set by his father, an optometrist who was active in social justice issues and helped people make a better life for themselves. Gary continued working after Sullivan Internal Medicine merged with Middletown Medical, until cancer forced his retirement.
Gary was board-certified in internal medicine and pulmonary disease. His greatest gift was sharing compassion and communication with his patients, whatever issue brought them to the examining room. He sometimes ran behind schedule, such was the time he spent with each patient.
Gary’s life turned golden on the evening of Christmas Eve in 1974 when he bumped into a nurse returning home to their apartment complex in East Orange, N.J., after her shift. Gary and the former Gloria Calingin were married on Feb. 4, 1979. They spent 47 years at each other’s side, raising their boys, Jon and Jeff, and enjoying life in Sullivan County, winters and all. Among the highlights was Jon’s bar mitzvah in Israel and a family trip to the Philippines, Gloria’s homeland.
Gary is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Monticello; their two sons – Jon Garfield and his partner, Suzy McLean, of Monticello, and Jeffrey Garfield of Seattle; one grandchild, Finnley Garytt Garfield, of Monticello; two siblings – Carol Cedar of Charlotte, N.C., and Ken Garfield and his wife, Sharon, of Charlotte, N.C.; and sisters-in-law Virgi Rubianes and her husband, Anthony, of Barboursville, Va., and Bernadette Adler and her husband, Eric, of Rock Hill, N.Y. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Among loved ones who preceded him in death was his best friend since high school, Dr. Steve Solomon.
A service to celebrate Gary’s life will be held at 11:00am on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, 388 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701. A reception follows at the home. Everyone is welcome to come and share a hug and a memory.
A gift in his memory can be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan (www.hospiceoforange.com/ways-to-give), 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.
Gary’s family is grateful for the care and kindness shown by oncologist Dr. Robert E. Dinsmore, surgeon Dr. Michael D. Kluger, Dr. Sheldon Leidner, and the team from Hospice of Orange & Sullivan. Gary and Gloria appreciated regular visits from the Hospice team. He is also grateful to colleagues and staff at Middletown Medical.
Gary never lost his positive attitude. When someone shared a challenge in their lives, Gary put it into perspective by saying “Count your blessings.” He continued his lifelong practice of meditation. He looked forward to daily walks with their dog, Bode, a measure of how well he was doing. Near the end, after the pain set in, he dialed up loved ones and declared, “I’m calling from Monticello, New York, not heaven.”
As Gary told everyone who called or visited, he was thankful for everything life gave him. He wasn’t afraid. He was at peace.
Arrangements are honorably entrusted to the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home - 845-794-7474 or www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com.
