HIS GREATEST ROLE
Willie Garson took an unusual path to fatherhood, but it was a role he loved more than anything else he had done. Garson became a single dad in 2009 when he adopted his son Nathen, then aged 7, from foster care.
“The second I saw him I knew he was mine and he would be my son,’’ Garson gushed to Medium magazine last year. “Being a dad comes with so many special feelings. I was in my mid-40s and I was so bored with myself. When Nathen came into my life, I was not bored any more.
I had someone to take care of and focus on. I gave someone a childhood who did not really have a real one.’’
Nathen, now 20, paid tribute to his father on Instagram after his death. “I love you so much papa,” he wrote of Garson. “Rest In Peace and I’m so glad you got to share all your adventures with me and were able to accomplish so much. I’m so proud of you. I will always love you, but I think it’s time for you to go on an adventure of your own.”
He continued, “You’ll always be with me. Love you more than you will ever know and I’m glad you can be at peace now. You always were the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known. I’m glad you shared [your] love with me. I’ll never forget it or lose it.”