William “Bill” Leonard Garforth - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend -

passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. He is survived by his devoted wife of

52 years, Marjorie C. Garforth (Smith), his daughter, Catherine A. Jakuboksi, and his

daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia L. and Emmitt G. Taylor. He was blessed with three

grandchildren, Scott W. Jakuboski, Amanda C. Jakuboski, and Matthew W. Taylor.

Bill was born to Lydia C. (Wigley) and Leonard Garforth in Brooklyn, NY on December

5, 1943. At the young age of 5, he contracted polio which left him partially paralyzed.

Despite his battle with polio, Bill always persevered and let nothing stand in his way

including his physical disability. He graduated from Long Branch High School in New

Jersey before attending Rutgers College and Monmouth University where he graduated

with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. While in college he earned the

Highest Chemistry Grade Award. He then began his 35-year career as an accomplished

chemical engineer and research scientist with Georgia Kaolin/English China Clays

International. His accomplishments included several patents related to his research in

the chemical industry and acceptance into the American Chemical Society.

In 1968, Bill met his wife Marge through a mutual doctor, and on June 13, 1970, they

married at the United Methodist Church in Neptune City, NJ. Soon after, they welcomed

their first child, Cathy, and several years later their second child, Cindy. He fought to

make every day count and you didn’t have to know him well to see that his family meant

the world to him. His mother (Lydia) and he shared a bond that was admired by all as he

took care of her after his Dad passed. Bill and Marge consistently demonstrated the

utmost admiration for one another and could still be found holding hands whenever

possible 52 years later. The love that they shared was unlike any other. Together, no

obstacle was too much for him and our mom to overcome. Over the years, his name

appeared in the local newspapers several times for his professional and personal

accomplishments. He was recognized for his successes as a disabled husband and father

working side by side with his wife while raising a family. He was the provider for our

family past, present, and future. He selflessly took care of us more than we could ever

take care of him. He was always quick with a joke and never let anything stand in his

way or the way of his family. He was a proud father and even prouder grandfather and

was dedicated to making sure his family was always well taken care of even if it meant

looking for excuses to spoil us. He was committed to making sure his children and his

grandchildren had the opportunity to pursue a higher education. Bill was the first in his

family to graduate college and he made sure that his kids and grandkids all had the

same opportunity.

Throughout the years, our father’s passion for horse racing became our family’s favorite

pastime. We spent many days as a family doing what our father loved at Monmouth

Park, Belmont, and even Tampa Bay Downs. It was a passion that went beyond the race

track to include adopting a retired racehorse later in life, who had run his last race.

Many of those who worked at the race track knew him well and would even save the best

table for him. Horses were not the only thing he was passionate about and nobody could

speak to that better than Baby, Barney, and Sylvia, our family dogs. Some were dogs he

was asked to home, others were rescued, but all were met with unconditional love. Our

father enjoyed spending time with his family, whether that was traveling , fishing,

watching hockey, golf, football, or taking in a baseball game. It didn't matter. He loved

sports and he loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed tutoring. Over the

years, he has tutored many kids in math and science without accepting anything in

return. He was one of the most intelligent and knowledgeable men we have ever known

and he enjoyed sharing that knowledge with others. He always had all the answers to

Jeopardy and was able to answer any question his grandkids threw his way. Our father

had an unconditional love for all kids and animals and was always there if anyone or

anything needed him.

Being a grandpa came naturally to him. His grandkids loved his eskimo kisses and

riding on the back of his wheelchair. He loved going on family vacations to Disney

World with Scott and Amanda and he was present every Christmas morning for

Matthew since the day he was born. He was the first person to come to their rescue

when his grandkids got into mischief and supported them as they apologized and

negotiated their way out. Both of his grandson's middle names are William in tribute to

the wonderful father and grandfather he always proved to be.

Later in life, Bill was not able to attend church as much as he would have liked however

that had no effect on his relationship with the Lord. Our father had volunteered on the

finance committee at their church in New Jersey and has always followed Christian

values for guidance. Our father served as a role model to all who knew him. Regardless

of his role as son, husband, father, grandfather, teacher, or friend, he exemplified the

true meaning of each and passed those traits forward. His legacy was “to help those you

can, always stay true to your principles, and always try to do the right thing.” Bill helped

anyone and everyone who came to him with a problem. He never turned anyone or

anything away if there was something he could do to help. He was the person who

always made others smile and the person who would care at all cost. He was generous,

loving, funny, and quick to forgive. Our father had an impact on the lives of so many

people and he will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 3

pm at Community Bible Church in Brooksville, FL. In his memory, donations can be

made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Humane Society. Two passions that were

close to his heart.