A Cannon Salute, and Farewell to Joe Garland
By Gail McCarthy, Gloucester Daily Times Staff Writer
“Joseph Garland, Gloucester’s historian, spent the last moments of his life in his beloved house by the sea.
One of the last sounds he heard on Tuesday was a cannon salute, a tradition he treasured; he would often give boats passing by a round from his own small cannon.
Garland’s family brought him home from the hospital Tuesday afternoon under hospice care. He would have turned 89 on Sept. 30. But he spent his last 90 minutes of life surrounded by family.
“When we brought him into the house from the ambulance, the (schooner) Lannon was heading out to sea with a sail excursion,” said Rob Carlson, his stepson. “We got him set up in the bed, and the Lannon was heading straight into port and we fired the cannon to get their attention. They immediately changed course and came over and gave a salute, fired their cannon and we fired back for them.
“About 10 minutes later,” he said, “Joe was gone.”
Helen Garland, his wife, said the bed was set up for him to look out at the harbor and the city.
“He was peacefully aware and was squeezing my hand right up to the end,” she said.”
To read more on Joe’s passing, please click here and for Richard Gaines’ article.
My dad was a great admirer of Joe and although he loved Joe’s books, I remember heated discussions over city policies. After my dad passed, my mom and I stopped to talk with Joe as he worked on his sailboat across the road from his house. He will be sadly missed at the Schooner Races this weekend. It was always a treat to hear his voice announcing the schooners passing by the boulevard during the Parade of Sail.
To quote John F. Kennedy-
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came. ”
Rest in Peace, Joe. The sea will always be your home.
Good Morning Gloucester 
When I first met him I told him i was writing a book about the Great lakes he told me that part of the country hadn’t been written about enough. After that every time I saw him he’d say, “How’s that Great Lakes book coming?” When it was finally published he read it and said he loved the sea stories and the legends in it — the best endorsement I ever got. Fare thee well, Joe.
LikeLike
Sorry to hear of Joe’s passing, but what an amazing story right up to the end, I just got chills reading his stepson’s account, especially the final canon salute from the Lannon. Wow.
Jenn
LikeLike
Gloucester will not be the same!
LikeLike
The last time I was on the Lannon, Tom Ellis told me some great Joe Garland stories, generally centering on Joe firing off the cannon, and the Lannon coming in close for a run-by for Joe’s benefit. How perfectly fitting for the Lannon to be exactly at the right place at the right time to give Joe the send-off he so richly deserved. The times, they are a-changin’. Wishing Joe a smooth sail on his last voyage….
LikeLike
I hope GMG readers actually can get a grasp on how important the Lannon’s task was to salute Joe. Just to be ABLE to salute the man and his life in a mannor of respect and maritime tradition. Very respectful.
LikeLike
A great sailor, author and historian. He stopped by often to give advice as I renovated a banks dory by adding a center-board, mast and sail. He also encouranged me to write the article later published by Joe Kakanes in Gloucester Magazine. The Michigan Bears related history of Capt.Albert Arnold pioneer gillnetting off Gloucester.
I will certainly miss an old friend who will live on in the books he authored about Gloucestermen.
LikeLike