Fredric David Garmon

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 13, 1921, the son of Samuel & Bertha (Fishman) Garmon, Fredric graduated Dorchester High School in 1939 and the Boston University School of Management in 1947. In between he served for two years with the US Coast Guard Reserve.

With his wife Vivienne, Fred was a resident of Wellesley since 1958. His professional career spanned the sales and marketing industry. He was a manufacturer’s representative of various consumer products and started his own company, Fred Garmon Marketing Corp.

Fred founded and ran the Institute for Mass Marketing in the early 1970s, hosting seminars in Boston and NYC for business people and retailers on the topics of mass marketing and the catalog showroom industry. Fred also served as an adjunct professor of marketing for several years at Mass Bay Community College in Wellesley, as well as a guest lecturer on marketing at NYU, UMass Amherst, and BU.

Fred was active in the Housewares Club of New England. While serving as Program Chairman, he developed several major fundraising programs, such as Entrepreneur of the Year. He also served as Chairman of the Board.

In 2007 he joined the Rotary Club of Wellesley, serving as Program Chair, organizing speakers from various industries to the group’s weekly meetings.

He loved music, from classical to Broadway, and it was at the Boston Symphony Orchestra where he met his wife, Vivienne. They continued attending the BSO together until just a few years ago. They were also avid theater goers and original benefactors of the Jewish Theater of New England, as well as founding members of Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA. In addition, their passion for travel took them on trips throughout Europe and Asia.

Fred always enjoyed art, originally hoping to become a graphic designer. Throughout his life he took classes in sculpture, painting, and drawing. In his later years, he enjoyed using his computer for entertainment and to write a column for the Wellesley Townsman called “On the Wellesley Scene”.

Fred loved to use quotes to help deal with life’s situations. Some of his favorites included: “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade”; “You’ve got to spend money to make money”; and his favorite comes from his mother, “Such is beshert” (a Yiddish saying that means “what is meant to be, will be”).

Fred was adored and trusted by everyone around him. One of his greatest joys, was mentoring and helping others. He will be remembered for his intelligence and generous personality.

He is survived by his wife, Vivienne; children Linda Garmon Albert & her husband, Michael of Ashland, and Paul Garmon & his wife of Lexington; grandchildren Rachel and Amanda Albert, and Daniel and Joanna Garmon. Services in the chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon on Tuesday, October 7 at 12 noon. Memorial observance immediately following the burial through 7pm and continuing Wednesday from 3-6pm at his late residence. Donations can be made to the Ellen Faye Garmon Scholarship Fund, in memory of his late niece. Please send to Linda G. Albert, 30 Larcridge Lane, Ashland, MA 01721.