John Garbin, 88, longtime Ridgefielder

John L. Garbin of 26 Bryon Avenue, a Ridgefielder for more than 60 years, died on Tuesday morning, May 7, at Danbury Hospital. He was 88 years old and the husband of Ethel Zandri Garbin.
Mr. Garbin was born in Great Barrington, Mass., on June 13, 1913, a son of the late Giovanni and Maria Garbin. He attended Great Barrington schools.
In his early years, Mr. Garbin moved with his family from Great Barrington to Torrington. On March 12, 1941, he and Ridgefield native Ethel Zandri were married at St. Mary’s Church here, and Mr. Garbin became a Ridgefielder.
He was a retired heavy equipment-operating engineer and belonged to union Local 478 of Hamden.
The Garbins both retired at age 70 and decided to do what they were never able to do. “We never did anything but work,” Mrs. Garbin said, “and we decided to travel.” They acquired a 28-foot motor home and toured everyone one of the lower 48 states, Canada and Mexico. Each winter for the past eight or so years, they’d stay in McAllen, Texas, near the Rio Grande.
“He loved to travel all over the country,” Mrs. Garbin said.
Mr. Garbin had also been an avid gardener and handyman. In the past he had also designed jewelry as a hobby, fashioning pins and earrings from silver.
Besides his wife of 61 years, Mr. Garbin is survived by two adopted children: Maralee Allan of New York City and John Groothoff of Mystic; a brother: Primo Garbin of Torrington; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday morning at 10:30 in St. Mary's Church.
Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Friends will be received in the Kane Funeral Home 41 Catoonah Street Ridgefield on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in Mr. Garbin's memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western CT, 405 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810.