Obituary of John L. Garrity

John L. “Jack” Garrity, a resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie, died Saturday, January 28, 2023 at his home. He was 97.

Son of the late William Thomas and Gertrude Patricia Marie Walsh Garrity, he was born October 24, 1925 in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Jack proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down and held by the Germans. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945 receiving several decorations and citations including the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. 

Jack married Carol Jean Hadek on October 24, 1959 in Queens, New York, who preceded him in death in 2010. Jack was a graduate of St. Anselm’s College and pursued graduate studies at Cornell University. He worked for over 33 years as a computer systems programmer for IBM before his retirement in 1990.

Jack was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Wappingers Falls and was a devoted friend of the Poor Clare Nuns in Wappingers Falls. He was an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels of Wappingers Falls.  Jack also enjoyed woodworking and cooking later in life.

Survivors include his children, William F. Garrity and his wife, Deborah of Davis, California, Mary P. Garrity and her spouse, Christene Murphy of Tucson, Arizona, Anne L. Garrity of Argyle, New York and John T. Garrity of Saratoga, New York; his brother, Robert A. Garrity of Miami, Florida; his grandchildren, Colleen R. Woodford and her husband, Curtis, Connell Garrity, John T. Garrity, Mary Carol Garrity, Jeffrey Garrity and Helen Garrity; his great-granddaughter, Iona Jacqueline; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Carol, he was predeceased by his daughter, Carol Garrity; brother, William Thomas Garrity and sister, Margaret Bernice Murphy.

Family and friends will gather on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 2 at St. Mary’s Church, Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Wappingers Falls.

Memorial donations in Jack’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Church, 11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, Meals on Wheels of Wappingers Falls, 12 Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 or Monastery of St. Clare, 70 Nelson Avenue, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.