He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Carol Powel Teter (Mike); grandchildren: Robert Garry Powel, Heidi Powel Waterman (Chris), Emily Grace Teter, Zachary Robert Teter, and Jonathon Trout Teter; brothers: Lee Paul Allen (Shirley), and Tracy Earle Allen (Yvonne); and his former spouse and mother of his children, Jeannette Frey Altland.
Garry was predeceased by his son, Robert Trout Powel (Barbara); and his parents, Robert and Mildred, and stepfather, Walter E. Allen (Earle).
Garry was born in Ocean City, NJ, on February 17, 1934, to Mildred Trout Allen and Robert G. Powel, Sr. He graduated in 1953 from Ocean City High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. This is where his love for the water began. He was a Lifeguard with the Ocean City Beach Patrol for four years in Ocean City, NJ, and attended Lifeguard reunions well into his 80’s.
He received an M.S. in Physical Education from West Chester University, where he played varsity baseball and soccer. He also claimed to have been “three credits shy of a Physical Therapy degree”, although this has never been confirmed or denied.
After college, Garry spent two years of active duty in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Lester, where he received an Honorable Discharge, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Lifesaving Commendation. He later served six years in the U.S. Navel Reserve.
He taught physical education at Catonsville Community College in Ellicott City, MD, where he was the head Athletic Trainer and started and coached the college’s first Varsity Soccer and Baseball teams. He was named the Maryland Junior College Soccer Coach of the year in 1968 and 1971. In addition to being active with the athletic department at Catonsville Community College, he was active in the community, starting the first Howard County Recreational Youth Soccer Program in Columbia, MD. He was later inducted into the Catonsville Community College Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 1968, Garry became the first American coach in the North American Professional Soccer League, as the Assistant Coach for the Baltimore Bays. In 1974 he was the Assistant Coach and Director of Youth Activities for the Washington Diplomats. In 1970, he was the Minor League Manager of the Walla Walla Phillies, the Class A Minor League Farm Club of the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1972, he became the Coach of the Eugene Emeralds, the Class AAA Minor League Farm Club of the Philadelphia Phillies.
In 1976, the water called him back. Garry started a charter fishing business on the Foxy Lady in Ocean City, NJ, where his son, Rob, served as First Mate. Two years later, he left the college to run his charter boat full time out of Jupiter, FL in the winter and Cape May, NJ in the summer. He later sold his business to Captain private sport fishing boats ranging from 46-63 ft, taking the owners up and down the east coast, to the Bahamas, and Cuba, fishing in tournaments where he often took first place. He Captained many boats from 1980 to just a few years ago, including the Nancy Marie, the Boss Lady, and the J&T. The longest running stint was on the Jay Gee, which carried him to retirement. The boat owners, other Captains, and the broader marine community, were a big part of Garry’s family.
He was a member of numerous associations, including the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J. USA – Valley of Lake Worth, Orient of Florida.
Garry was most comfortable on and by the ocean. It was where he was born and where he took his last breath. To say he lived an exciting and amazing life is an understatement. Garry never met a stranger, every bartender knew his drink, and he was ready with a story for anyone willing to listen.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2024, at the Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Cremation and Event Center in North Palm Beach, FL with a gathering at 1:00 and service at 2:00.
Later in the spring there will be a second celebration and burial service in Ocean City, NJ. More details on the service to follow.
