The day after he was honored with a drive-by parade as Antioch’s 2019 Citizen of the Year for his lifetime achievements, Ralph Garrow Jr. died Thursday at his home after a battle with cancer.
Before becoming ill, the longtime Antioch resident remained heavily invested in his community through several service clubs. His friends say he never sought the spotlight and volunteered so much of his time because he felt it was the right thing to do.
Garrow “never ran for Citizen of the Year,” just genuinely enjoyed helping others, said Terry Ramus, of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.
“Ralph was a kind and generous person, who out of the goodness of his heart always tried to contribute to his community,” Ramus said.
Garrow, an Antioch native who was in his 60s, would have been honored for his volunteer efforts at an Antioch Chamber of Commerce gala this spring had the coronavirus pandemic not triggered shelter-in-place orders.
Knowing of his failing health, his real estate colleagues and chamber members wanted to make sure he was honored.
Realtor Tangie Leverett, president of the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS, honored Garrow by putting together a drive-by caravan of cars Wednesday, which turned out for many to be their final good-bye to a longtime friend.
Antioch police even provided an escort to lead the parade, while fire engines from Stations 82 and 83 brought up the rear.
“I was just amazed at the turnout that was there and I was even more amazed that the Antioch Police Department and fire department showed up,” Leverett said.
“I just wanted Ralph to know there were people who loved and supported him,” she said. “I just wanted to do something to lift and support him. This was so much more than I could have hoped for. It was wonderful.”
Dozens streamed by in the more than 30-minute parade as Garrow watched on Facebook Live from his living room, where he had been resting since coming home from the hospital to be with his family. Though he was not well enough to come to the porch, he talked with well-wishers as son Alex held a phone in front of each car that passed by.
“It was super sweet,” said Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, a fellow Rotarian. “It was really great to see the outpouring of support.”
Ramus, Mayor Sean Wright and Richard Pagano, CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, also stopped by to present him with his Citizen of the Year Lifetime Achievement plaque. Others brought by cards, posters and token gifts, presenting them to his wife, Laurie Garrow, and other family members.
Pagano said he was glad to be able to present his friend with the award, adding that Garrow was “very appreciative of the recognition and expressed gratitude for being named 2019 Citizen of the Year Lifetime Achievement.
“Ralph was truly a great and selfless man,” Pagano said. “He did many wonderful things for our community. Our community lost a great advocate, philanthropist and leader. We’re forever grateful for his numerous contributions to the Antioch community. Our thoughts and support are with his family.”
Tom Lamothe, a friend for 50 years, said Garrow showed “how to care about others and how to lead. So grateful we were able to say good-bye (at the parade).”
A native of Antioch, Garrow graduated from Antioch High in 1970 and was its class valedictorian. He spent most of his life in the East Contra Costa city except when attending college at Stanford and Yale universities. He went to work in his family’s business building homes for 20 years, then sold real estate as president of Ralph Garrow Real Estate.
Garrow was past president of Rotary Club of the Delta in Antioch, where he had been a member for the past 14 years. He and his wife also volunteered to deliver food for seniors in the Meals on Wheels program. He also helped create theater space in the Antioch Community Center downtown and served as 2009 chairman of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, where he spearheaded the Vision 2020 program.
In addition, he volunteered with the Kiwanis Club of the Delta and was president of the Delta Association of Realtors. He was also recognized as the 2009 Delta Realtor of the Year, and later as the state-appointed director of the California Association of Realtors. He also served on the Berkeley Repertory Theatre board of trustees.
In addition to wife Laurie, Garrow leaves behind two sons and daughter-in-law, Ian (Kyla) Garrow of San Francisco, and Alex Garrow and (fiancee Ashley and son Nasir); a sister, Joslyn “Missy” (Kim) Vigil of Brentwood; a granddaughter, Lauren; and other near relatives. Services are pending.