Ronald Shaw Garbutt Jr. passed away peacefully on the morning of April 24th at the age of 69, after a courageous battle against Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, a rare kidney disease.

Ron was born in Somers Point, NJ on November 6th, 1956. He was raised by his loving parents, Ronald and Dolores Garbutt, who taught him to be selfless and caring in all aspects of his life. Ron was dedicated to the service of others. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1974-1979 as an Engineman, 2nd class on the U.S.S. Austin. Upon his return home, he worked for the Garbutt Family restaurant, Mickey and Minnie’s Inn, alongside his family.

Ron joined the Germania Volunteer Fire Company in 1980 where he served countless leadership roles and remained an active Life Member. He rose through the ranks to Chief of the Germania Volunteer Fire Company in 2002, until he was elected Chief of Galloway Township Fire Department, serving from 2009 through 2012. Throughout his dedication to the fire service, he was an active member in the Atlantic County Firefighter Association, the Atlantic County Fire and Arson Investigators Association, the Arson Task Force, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service as a District Warden. He worked for the Township of Galloway as the Fire Marshal starting in 1991 until his retirement in 2024.

Even when Ron stepped out of his role as a firefighter, he still made sure he spent his time helping others while participating in things he enjoyed, especially with his two sons, Ron and Brian. He coached their GTAA Baseball Teams and was the Cubmaster for Pack 76 for the Boy Scouts of America. Even after his boys grew up, he continued to serve his community as Cubmaster and coached different Mustang and Renegade Taxi Football teams. His giving nature and genuine kindness made him a great coach and role model.

Ron enjoyed hunting and was an active Life Member of the Germania Gunning Club. He also enjoyed being a drummer for the Sandpipers Bagpipe Band. While so much of Ron’s time was spent in the service of others, his favorite place to be was with his friends and family. Whether he was relaxing in his camper, swinging his golf clubs on some of his favorite courses, or cheering “Go Birds!” in the winter and “Go Phils!” in the summer, as long as he was with those he loved, he was happy. While Ron held many titles in his life, his favorites were Husband, Dad, and Grampy.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Dottie; his sons, Ron III (Jillian) and Brian (Leslie); his mother, Dolores; brother, Rich Garbutt (Lisa) and sister, Carol Filling (Chuck); and grandkids, Gabriella, Asher, Benjamin, and Landon, as well as many nieces and nephews. His legacy will live on in all of them.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday May 6, 2026 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 591 New Jersey Avenue, Absecon, NJ 08201. There will be a viewing from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at which point a Catholic Mass will be held. Following, there will be a procession to Germania Volunteer Fire Company for a Fire Company and Navy Veteran Service.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the Germania Volunteer Fire Department in Ron’s Honor.