A fitting tribute to beloved Staten Island son slain on vacation in Chile

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Community leaders, family and friends of Eric E. Garvin gathered to honor the highly-respected Stapleton resident who was slain on vacation in Chile earlier this year during a ceremony Sunday afternoon.

Many guest speakers took to the stage to pay Garvin their respects through poetry, music and speeches.

Dozens attended the ceremony, with attendees nearly filling the memorial’s seating capacity.

State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn) elected to say a speech in honor of Garvin’s contribution to Staten Island.

“Eric’s legacy is one of service, compassion and responsibility to people of all ages,” she said. “His efforts were a testament to the belief in the power of collective action.”

Guests celebrated Garvin’s first posthumous birthday by singing Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday,” while viewing a slideshow featuring pictures of Garvin from his travels to more than 40 different countries.

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