Commander (Ret) Carl John Garbelotti, better known as “Garbo,” passed away at age 61 in Cibolo, Texas, on March 21, 2024. Garbo was a 1984 graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and served 25 years of active duty in the United States Navy. He flew helicopters with the Navy and fixed wing aircraft with both the Navy and the Air Force. He served on two aircraft carriers in various capacities. He later earned his Master’s degree from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and continued to work for the government as a civilian after military retirement. He traveled the globe for work and always supported his family on multiple moves across the United States.
Originally from Vermont, Garbo enjoyed snow skiing, watching sports with his sons, and got to see the Boston Red Sox break the curse and his beloved New England Patriots win six Super Bowls. He was a coach for his sons’ football and baseball teams and has maintained a long-time friends’ group to play fantasy football and attend March Madness weekends in Las Vegas. Garbo was an owner of two Harley Davidson motorcycles and loved riding the Texas hill country with his close group of friends and making the yearly pilgrimage to Sturgis, South Dakota. He loved spending time in Europe with his family and sharing his favorite German beers. Back at home, he spent time with his three dogs while relaxing in his pool and building a backyard kitchen to enjoy his love of smoking brisket and Texas BBQ.
Garbo is survived by his wife of 37 years, Stacey, his sons Jake and Alex, his mother Pamela, his brothers Jim (Kelly) and Tom (Karen), his sister Gina (Frank), and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Carl. His three dogs Lucy, Willie, and Ollie will greatly miss his company.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 13, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Schertz Funeral Home in Schertz, Texas.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the American Diabetes Association in Garbo’s honor.
