Paul G. Jarvi

Dear Members and Friends, It is with great sadness that I write you to let you know of the passing of Paul Jarvi, one of our very active and most generous club members, who left us early Friday morning. Paul leaves his wife, Peg, two children, Mina and Robbie, and granddaughter Savannah. At this time, there are no plans made for a service. Paul has been a member of the Family Garden Club since 2007 and has contributed a great deal to the club and the community during that time. He served on several committees throughout his membership but the one he enjoyed the best, and was the most recognized for, was chairing the plant propagation committee for the scholarship fund and community projects. Not long after joining the club Paul offered the use of his garden as a place to grow our cuttings and hold plant sales. That started in 2009 and has been ongoing since. The members have been meeting year-round on Tuesday mornings to propagate cuttings, maintain the growing area, and foster friendship. Peg has graciously issued an invitation that we continue our work there on Tuesday mornings and we will carry on the tradition. Paul was very proud of his garden and he would give a tour to all who showed an interest in seeing and learning about his plants. He poured his heart and soul into maintaining and teaching about his garden. The fact that Paul was invited twice to be part of the Lemon Bay Garden Club Tour underscored the wonderful variety of plants and the effort that he put forth into creating and maintaining his beautiful garden. He was an avid reader of gardening and plant propagation materials increasing his knowledge which he would impart to other club members and people attending the sales. His manner was low-key and he had great teaching skills. Some of Paul’s other contributions included: building and installing Wildflower Preserve classroom benches, use of his yard for plant propagation and plant sales, providing cuttings from the plants in his garden, accepting and swapping plants from members and friends, and contributing plants to Wildflower Preserve to name a few. In light of all the contributions Paul has made during his membership the garden club donated a viewing bench honoring him for his devoted efforts to the club. The bench was installed and a dedication ceremony was held on April 5, 2017 at the Wildflower Preserve. All of this is a tribute to Paul as an outstanding member of the club and to his willingness to help others to learn the ways of gardening in Florida. Paul will certainly be missed; and his friendship and contributions to the club and community will be long-remembered. Please keep Paul Jarvi and his family in your prayers. Jim Sciarello All of his efforts and planning made for a beautiful and serene environment where one couldn't wait to turn the next corner. Memorial donations may be made to Lemon Bay Conservancy, 2980 Placida Road, Suite 201, Englewood, FL, 34224.