Tamworth, NH          

          Donald McGarity 1938- 2017

Donald McGarity, 79, of Tamworth, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Don was born on January 19, 1938 to Anna (O’ Donahue) and John McGarity of The Bronx,  NY.  When Don was four, his father died at the age of 43. Raised by his mother and grandmother, he attended both Catholic and public schools.  As a teenager, he spent time at a riding academy and traveled the East Coast riding horses and Brahma bulls competitively.  At 17 he entered the US Navy where he proudly completed his service commitment. 

While working for Pan American as an aircraft mechanic, he met his business partner, James Cahill, and  they purchased and ran apartment houses in Brooklyn and Harlem. Don became a real estate broker, and a Certified Property Manager, and acted as a receiver for banks and New York City courts.  He and Cahill founded Candle Management in Park Slope, employed several sales people and managed hundreds of apartments.  He also    served as Treasurer for the Brooklyn Board of Realtors.   He met his life's love,  Ann (Allison) when she bought a house from him. They married in 1981, and   purchased and renovated an 1840’s farmhouse in Tamworth, NH. 

While remodeling their new home, Don and Ann  created a homestead with an extensive vegetable garden and farm animals. Don joined the Tamworth Rescue Squad, became an EMT and later, served as captain.      

In 1988, the family relocated to Silver Lake, NH where they owned and operated The Lakeside General Store.  The store was managed and run almost exclusively by family which had, by now, grown to include several foster children.  The three young men the McGarity's fostered until they entered adulthood, still   support themselves in the restaurant industry.  

On December 28th,  1999, Don and Ann's daughter Catherine died tragically at 18 years old. Grief stricken,  the couple closed the store and returned to Tamworth.   

The family was committed to serving their community. Prior to moving to New Hampshire, Don was a volunteer at Christian Help in Park Slope (CHIPS), an organization started by Dorothy Day, of Catholic Worker. He assisted in the pantry, serving meals in the soup kitchen, and staffed the shelter overnight whenever asked. His commitment to service didn't stop when the family relocated to New Hampshire in 1983. The couple opened their home as a shelter for abused women and   children.   For several years, Don and Ann delivered Meals on Wheels and Don was a Caregiver volunteer driver.  Donald, his daughter, Jennifer, and a local medical team spent time in a small Honduran community when Don was an EMT. The team's goal was to provide medical services to a community striving toward self-sufficiency. Years later, Don and Ann traveled to New Orleans to assist in the clean-up efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Through all of these years,  Don ran a home rental business. 

Don and Ann enjoyed travel and journeyed to England several times to visit Ann's family. They also visited The Caribbean.  Canada,  Ireland, and Italy and  made an especially memorable pilgrimage in 2008 to Israel.  With each visit overseas, especially to Italy and Israel, the couple returned with exciting and often amusing  stories. 

Don was a friend of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob for 55 years holding nearly every position on local and district levels.  He helped hundreds of people in the program since 1962, was a sponsor to many, and spoke about the importance of “carrying the message” to all.  For several years,   Don was a daily communicant of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Ossipee, and more recently of St Charles Borromeo in Meredith.  His greatest joy was reading religious and philosophical books, praying and meditating.  He was very active in the Right-to-Life movement and participated in the March on Washington for twelve years both by attending and obtaining supplies for the march and the 12-hour bus ride.  His grandson, Killian, joined him for one of these trips. 

Don was predeceased by his parents, John and Anna McGarity, and his two brothers Thomas and John McGarity.  He leaves  behind his beloved wife of 36 years, Ann, daughter, Kimmarie Hammond of Queens, NY, her husband, Larry, and their daughter Kara-- daughter Allison Turner of Seacliff, NY , her husband, Claude, and their children Chelsea, Brooke and Claude IV-- son Brian, his wife Merrill and their children Molly and Jack of Pearl River, NY-- daughter Jennifer McGarity Broder, and boyfriend, David  Green, her son  Killian Bryant,  fiancée Cassie Gardner and their children Mariah, Cyrus, and McKenna, her daughter  Sinead Bryant , fiancée Josh Jackson and their children , Amora, Matthew and David-- daughter, Lenora Sargent of Albany, her fiancé George Viens, and children Daniel and Allie Sargent.  Don also leaves behind many friends including lifelong friends, James Cahill, to whom he spoke   every day for nearly 50 years, and Ray O'Hanlon, a beloved best friend from childhood.   

Calling hours will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017 from 5-8pm at Lord Funeral Home, 50 Moultonville Road, Center Ossipee, NH.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00am Friday. March 3, 2017 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Rt. 25,Meredith, NH.  A burial will be laid to rest next to his daughter in the Chocorua Cemetery later in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to The Catherine McGarity Scholarship Fund at Bearcamp Valley School and Children’s Center, 27, Durrell Rd, Tamworth NH 03886 or The Tamworth Community Nurses Association, 84R Main St. P.O. Box 352 Tamworth, NH 03886.

If you wish to express condolences or leave a fond memory please visit, www.lordfuneralhome.com.

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