Obituary of Michael McGarry

Michael T. McGarry, 92, died peacefully at the Treasure Coast Hospice, Harper House, Stuart, Florida. Born Dec. 25, 1916 to the late Thomas and Beatrice McGarry in, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived in Florida and Pawley's Island, SC for the past 39 years. He moved to Boca Raton from Longport, NJ in 1970 and resided on the Treasure Coast for the last 18 years - Palm City for the last 13.

He was a graduate of West Catholic High School, Philadelphia in the Class of '35.

Before retiring he had a career in the hotel field beginning at the Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia upon graduation and working his way to Sales Manager and then Convention Manager for the City of Philadelphia. Upon leaving Philadelphia he managed the Stockton Hotel, in Sea Girt, NJ, Ambassador Hotel and Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, Sheraton-Park and Sheraton-Carlton Hotels in Washington, DC, Sheraton Towers Hotel in Chicago, IL, Sheraton Hotel in Akron, OH, International Inn in Washington, DC, Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia, Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, area manager for Howard Johnson's at Lake Buena Vista, FL, Sheraton Hotel at St. Thomas, VI and the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. During his career he hosted several presidents, including Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.

He is survived by Gerri, his devoted wife of 50 years; a son, Brian McGarry of Port St. Lucie and a daughter, Michele Brown of Ventnor, NJ; six grandchildren, Brian McGarry, Maureen McGarry and Mark McGarry of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Bill Prante of Delray Beach, FL, Melanie McGarry of Delray Beach, FL and Adam Brown of West Palm Beach, FL; two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Leanna Hazelwood of Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, John, Edgar and Harold and 3 sisters, Gertrude, Peg and Julia.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Fri., July 17, 2009 at Forest Hills Funeral Homes - Palm City Chapel with a Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Sat., July 18, 2009 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Palm City.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201, SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, (772)403-4530 or on line at

www.tchospices.org .