John Franklin McGarvey, 85, of Lorain, Ohio died Monday, March 2, 2015 at Kingston of Vermilion following a lengthy illness. He was born in Lorain on December 16, 1929 to the late Myrtle (nee: Smith) and Franklin Crowther McGarvey. While in elementary school he played the clarinet in the orchestra, for school plays and on Cleveland radio. He won many certificates in competition throughout northern Ohio. Mr. McGarvey was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. McGarvey was a Lorain High School graduate. He received his Bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster and his Master's degree from Case Western Reserve University. Mr. McGarvey took additional courses in school guidance at Kent State University. Upon graduation from the College of Wooster he became a teacher of history at Longfellow Junior High School for ten years. He also taught eleventh grade U. S. History in summer school for many years. When Admiral King opened in 1961 he was assigned as a guidance counselor where he worked until his retirement in 1984. Mr. McGarvey was active in the Lorain Education Association during his teaching career and served in various capacities. He founded and became the first editor of "The Profession," the newsletter of the LEA. Mr. McGarvey was an active member of the First Congregational Church, Lorain, serving as Chairman of the Deacons and also Moderator. For many years he visited members who were in the hospital, helped re-write the church constitution and led summer services when the pastor was on vacation. He was a member of the Lorain College Club, where he was program chairman and president. After his retirement from teaching, he formed the Lorain Education Association-Retired; he was president and editor of the LEA-R Newsletter. He was an active member, devoted volunteer and Chairman of the Trustees of the Black River Historical Society for many years. Mr. McGarvey had a passion for speaking about the history of Lorain. He is survived by his daughter, Beth McGarvey of Lorain, his son David (Christina) McGarvey of Columbia, Maryland and two grandsons, Ben and Paul, both of Columbia. In addition to his parents, Mr. McGarvey was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Margaret (nee: Paton) McGarvey. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 6, 2015 from 4 PM until 7 PM at the Walter A. Frey Funeral Home, 700 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052. Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 1 PM at the First Congregational Church, 423 Washington Avenue at Fourth Street, Lorain, Ohio 44052 with Rev. Karen Farthing, pastor officiating. Private burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lorain Historical Society Endowment Fund, 329 West Tenth Street, Lorain, Ohio 44052. Online condolences may be sent to www.freyfuneralhome.com Service: Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 1 PM First Congregational Church; 423 Washington Avenue (at Fourth Street), Lorain, Ohio 44052 Visitation: Friday, March 6, 2015 from 4 PM until 7 PM Walter A. Frey Funeral Home; 700 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052