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Garnett Canby

Feb 25, 2022

Garnett Canby Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, surrounded by his family at Winchester Medical. He was 73 years old.

Garnett started this life on June 11, 1948, with a fight as the premature son of Anne and Garnett Canby Sr. Despite his initial small stature and some hardships in his youth, he would grow up to be a man not only of heroic size but also of a heroic heart.

He set sail with US Navy upon his graduation from Martinsburg High School in 1966, looking back only long enough to take his bride, Karen Canby, nee Braithwaite, with him on what he hoped would be a world tour. Their marriage of 51 years was an incredible one. They shared in joys and maneuvered through trials. They modeled unconditional love and patience.

He had many adventures in his time sailing the Atlantic aboard the likes of the USS Roosevelt and ultimately the USS Intrepid. His adopted home of Fall River, MA was always dear to his heart. Sadly, a series of misfortunate events cut short his time at sea, and with an honorable discharge in his pocket, he found himself returning to his landlocked town once more. He would begin working at Biedler Electric, where he would continue to work part time for over 15 years.

Still thirsty for adventure he decided to become a teacher to help shape the next generation. He completed his education at Shepherd University in 3.5 years Magna Cum Laude. Garnett was to excel at being an outstanding teacher, willing to stand up for his students and teach them memorable lessons of kindness and fair play. His students knew that he would always listen to them, make sure they had school supplies, and lunch money. While he received many awards during his career, he was most proud when he saw his students being the outstanding people he knew they could be.

However, his greatest most amazing contribution was being a father to Julie (Keller). Unlike most dads of the early 80s, Garnett took unpaid paternity leave, changed diapers, did dance class and Girl Scout duty. As his young daughter grew, he attended every event she had with pride. He was always ready to volunteer his time, talent, and taxi service.

Garnett was fiercely protective of his daughter, and he had healed her broken heart enough to make him wary of potential suitors. The man who stole her heart, James “Ben” Keller became like a son to him. If he was proud of Julie, he was just as proud of the man she chose. When he was finally unable to cheat death anymore, he knew he could rest easy because there was man worthy of taking care of not just Julie, but Karen, when he finally had to cross the bar. The only thing that was dearer to him than his daughter and wife, were his grandchildren, Stella and Abigail Grace. There are few grandfathers that can both spoil and guide their grandchildren like Garnett could.

Garnett was preceded in death by his parents, Anne Canby (nee Raney) and Garnett Canby Sr. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Julie and son in law James B. Keller, grandchildren Stella and Abigail “Abby” Grace, his sisters Karen Ash (Fred Ash) and Debbie Palmer (Bobby Palmer) and his beloved nephew Benjamin Ash and niece Rachel Cook.

A devout Christian, he was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Masonic Equality Lodge in Martinsburg, WV.

A viewing will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Martinsburg, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Services were 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Brown Funeral Home with The Rev. John Yost officiating. Interment followed at Pleasant View Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Berkeley County Backpack Program in Garnett’s honor to continue helping the students of our area.

Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.