SOUTHPORT – Patrick “Pat” John McGarry, 80, of Southport, NC, passed away on August 10, 2024 after a tough battle with Merkel cell carcinoma.
Pat was born on March 14, 1944 to Michael E. McGarry and Viola McGarry of Park Ridge, IL. After graduating from Notre Dame High School for Boys in 1962, he studied business administration at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.
After graduating from the University of Dayton, Pat proudly served our country as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Korea, where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.
After completing his military service, Pat pursued a career in information technology as a manager for companies such as Westinghouse, Northrop Grumman, Orbital Sciences, and Future-Next. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, and Worldwide Marriage Encounter, and was an avid woodworker and golfer. He loved playing online chess and engaging in daily Wordle competitions with family group chats.
In July 1968, Pat married the love of his life, Judith K. Huber, whom he had met at the University of Dayton, and they had five children: Sheila, Jennifer, Tracy, Sean and Kevin.
In 2013, Pat and Judy retired to Southport, North Carolina, where he enjoyed golfing with his “super group” who quickly became his friends. He volunteered at First Tee and Meals on Wheels and co-chaired the Knights of Columbus charity golf tournament. He traveled many miles to visit family and friends and to spend time with his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Although he always said he just didn’t understand why anyone would want to vacation in St. James, “We’re already there.”
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Viola McGarry, and his sisters, Mary Haller and Kathleen Gordon. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith K McGarry; his children, Sheila Muldowney and her husband Michael (Mike) of Baltimore, MD; Jennifer (Jen) Martin and her husband David (Dave) of Columbia, MD; Tracy Dean and her husband John of Wokingham, UK; Sean McGarry and his wife Carrie of Baltimore, MD; and Kevin McGarry of Glen Burnie, MD; his seven grandchildren, Maeve, Nora and Joseph (Joe) Muldowney; Kyle and Mathew (Matt) Martin; Charlie and Rory Dean; and his brother, Michael McGarry (Fayetteville, AR) and brother-in-law, John Gordan (Cedar Falls, IO); and a large extended family whom he loved and cherished.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 14th at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5369 Dosher Cutoff Rd., Southport, NC 28461, followed by a celebration of life in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Patrick J. McGarry may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support cancer research and patient care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or through jimmyfund.org/gift.
Online condolences are welcome and can be sent to the family here.
