Joseph McGarry

Passed away peacefully at his home in Fairfax, CA on November 17, 2015, at the age of 75, while being cared for by his loving wife Nancy and his five children. Joe’s spirit of humor, integrity, faith, compassion, and love of people lives on through those he has touched throughout his life. Joe was born on April 13, 1940, in Queens, NY, the son of Joseph and Madeline McGarry. He attended and formed life long friendships at Saint Theresa’s Grammar School, Saint John’s Preparatory High School, and Niagara University. He later earned a Master’s Degree from Santa Clara University. Joe entered the Army Medical Service Corps and served his country for twenty years. He was a Vietnam veteran. During the early years of his military service, he was stationed at Trois Fontaines Army Base in France. There he met his wife Nancy, who was a DOD teacher. They were married on July 23, 1966 at Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame, CA. Joe and Nancy, along with their growing family, lived on several Army bases throughout the United States over the next twenty years. After his tour at Letterman Hospital, Joe retired from the military on the Presidio of San Francisco. He began his civilian career at Occupational Health Services and then held various Human Resource leadership positions over the span of two decades at Kaiser Permanente. Joe enjoyed all the personal connections he made with each and every colleague and employee. He was never too busy to listen; he had a gift for engaging EVERYONE in conversation and acted on every opportunity to help them. He was a skillful and respected union negotiator. Joe served on the Suicide Prevention Board and the Workforce Investment Board in his community. As an advocate for the homeless and those who suffer social injustice, he participated in the Marin Organizing Committee and the REST program. Joe’s Catholic faith was very important to him throughout his life, from his grammar school days as an altar boy to serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Anselm Parish. Joe and Nancy were active in Marriage Encounter as a team couple for many years. Joe was an avid sports fan. He enthusiastically supported Marin Catholic basketball and football, sitting courtside or pacing the sidelines cheering the teams on. When it came to pro sports he was a loyal fan of the Giants, Warriors and Forty Niners.

Joe was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather who is survived by his wife Nancy; children Joe ( partner Jackie), Katie ( husband Sean), Dan ( wife Melissa), Matthew ( wife Sarah), and Michael ( partner Candice); sisters Joan Zahn and Madeline Boylan; and devoted grandchildren Sydney, Liam, Addison, Maddy, Molly, Saiyen, and Dillon. He was loved by his sisters- in- law, brothers- in- law, and many nieces and nephews. There will be a Rosary and Vigil service on November 30th at 7: 00 PM at Saint Anselm Church in Ross. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on December 1st at 10: 30 AM at Saint Anselm Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County Monte’s Chapel Of The Hills San Anselmo 415- 453- 8440