Dr. Steven D. Garland, age 79, passed away peacefully in his hometown of Hingham, MA on January 13 after a long illness. He was surrounded by the presence and love of his family as well as the caring of friends. He was the devoted husband for 55 years of Helga (Joosten) Garland.
Born in Duluth, MN, Steven was the son of the late Kenneth and Phyllis Garland. After attending the University of Maine in Orono, he graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1972. He furthered his studies with an Internship and Residency, including Chief Resident, at Boston City Hospital and Oral Cancer Fellow. Steven opened a private practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Weymouth, MA in 1976 and earned his Board Certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1978. He was on the staff of South Shore Hospital, Weymouth, MA, where he worked on various committees until his retirement at the end of 2013, and he served as Chairman of the Anesthesia Committee of the Massachusetts Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as well as its President. Steven served in the US Navy Reserves Dental Corps for 7 years.
Throughout Steven’s years of professional practice he took great care with his patients and employees, many who worked for decades with him. Not one to be still, Steven explored various interests in depth. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or fabricate…gifts he passed on to his sons. With attention to detail, he spent hours woodworking in his shop creating cherished pieces. Taking up sailing, Steven and Helga successfully campaigned their boat “Wired” on the East Coast with a devoted crew. After retiring from competition, they explored the Northeast by powerboat. Steven was a long time member of Hingham Yacht Club and New York Yacht Club. Following his half century passion for photography, he carried camera equipment on countless adventures and vacations. Steven was an avid Boston sports fan through good times and bad. His happiest of times, though, were spent with his family, especially his grandchildren as they grew. With all of them, he enjoyed family get-togethers, backyard projects, beach time, and boating.
In addition to his wife, Steven will be missed by his son, Brett and wife Tress Goodwin, of Washington, DC, his son, Keith and wife Breanne, of Hingham, and his son, Tom and wife Meghan, of Norwell, MA, as well as his grandchildren, Gabriela and Samuel, Christopher and Madeline, Clayton and Sloane. He is survived by his sister, Claudia Garland, of Henderson, NV and was predeceased by his brother, Jeffrey. Jasper, the present faithful Black Lab in a line of canine family companions, now waits for his next walk.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Friday, Feb 21st from 4 to 7pm at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham. A celebration of life will be held at 11am on Sat, Feb 22nd, at the Hingham Congregational Church, 378 Main St., Hingham, MA. Burial will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to NVNA and Hospice (NVNA.org) would be greatly appreciated. We are thankful for their care of Steven after hospitalizations and through hospice. Or, donations to 110 Fitness, 200B Weymouth St, Rockland (110fitness.org). We appreciate the encouraging environment at the gym while boxing and exercising. Or, to Hingham Maritime Center, 32 Summer St, Hingham (hinghammaritime.org) for the love of being on the water. For more information and online guestbook go to www.downingchapel.com