By Alan Suderman

THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Joe Gargan is living the American dream. Born to blue-collar parents newly arrived from Ireland, Gargan rose to become a top executive of a cosmetics company, a world traveler, and a husband and father.

“I thank God every day for the life I’ve been able to live,” Gargan says.

Raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of a city fireman, Gargan joined the Marine Corps when he was just 17. He was in the middle of boot camp when World  War II ended and spent his time in the Corps processing the paperwork of those coming back from the war.

He attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc., and began a career in sales. Gargan eventually rose to be vice president of sales for cosmetics giant Elizabeth Arden.

It wasn’t long before he was back in New York City, with access to a corporate apartment in Manhattan.

Secret to success

The secret to his success, he says, was finding the right people to work with.

“I’ve had good luck because of my ability to surround myself with good people,” he says. “I consider myself a good motivator.”

As vice president of sales, Gargan traveled all over the globe, including extensive trips to Asia. When he retired, he took his wife Jeanne to many of the same places he’d been to for work. 

“I wanted to show her many of my favorite places,” he says.

But for all his professional accomplishments and globetrotting, Gargan says family is still his most important achievement.

“Our greatest joy is our three kids,” he says.

Though he’s not traveling as much as he used to, Gargan stays active by gardening and working out in Highland Springs’ fitness center, which has equipment specifically designed for older adults.

“It’s really convenient to have everything so close,” Gargan says. Gargan says he’s been delighted with living at Highland Springs, where he’s met interesting people with similarly interesting life tales.