Dr. Edward R. Garrity Sr.

1924 - 2017

Dr. Edward R. Garrity, Sr., M.D., age 93, of Aurora, Illinois, and of Niceville, Florida, and originally from Chicago, died peacefully in Aurora, on August 21, 2017, after a long and full life of many blessings. The timing of his departure from this life was impeccable, as he died on his sixty-ninth Wedding Anniversary, during the eclipse of the sun, at 12:34 pm, reminding his family that he was born on 1-2-3-4, that is, January 23, 1924. Doctor Ed is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 69 years, Patricia Marie (Purcell) Garrity, and by many relatives and neighbors and friends of his family, notably by his sister, Margaret Mary McNamara, and by many nieces and nephews and their families, and especially the members of his immediate family: daughters Janann (Tracy) Licklider of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Maryl (Lawrence) Hankes of Big Rock, Illinois; Patricia Marcella Garrity of Chicago; niece Patricia Purcell of Aurora; sons Dr. Edward R. (Linda Keipert) Garrity, Jr., M.D., of Lagrange, Illinois; Fr. Robert Garrity, JCL, SThD, of Ave Maria, Florida; and Thomas J. (Colleen Magoon) Garrity, of Laconia, New Hampshire; grandchildren Zachary and Francisco Licklider, Bridget Hankes (Isa) Ixpata, Brian (Eileen McEnroe) Hankes, Jonathan (Katsiaryna Radziuk) Garrity, Colin Garrity, Joseph Garrity, Nathaniel Garrity, Trevor Garrity, Hannah Garrity, and Ryan Garrity; and great-grandchildren Kaitlyn and Nora Hankes, and Grace and Joseph Ixpata. Dr. Garrity was preceded in death by his parents, by his brother Jack, and by his sister Marcella Moran. Doctor Ed was born on January 23, 1924 in Chicago, the third child of John and Margaret (Kilroy) Garrity, of Drunnagh, Kilmeena, Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. Dr. Ed attended St. Timothy School in Chicago, Loyola Academy, Loyola University, and Loyola Medical School (class of 1947). He served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War in the 176th Medical Unit and in the Korean Service Corps. The reality which gave the greatest meaning and joy to Dr. Ed was giving loving service to others. This service-orientation he lived out on a daily basis, notably through family dedication and medical practice and volunteer activities, by which he expressed his faith in Jesus Christ Who "came to serve rather than to be served." Dr. Ed was grateful to have brought healing to many through his medical practice of 32 years in and around Aurora (and also in Geneva, St. Charles, Naperville, Wheaton, and elsewhere), and as the first urologist in several communities far-west of Chicago such as Sandwich and DeKalb. He was happy to have served as President of the Chicago Urological Society, President of the Illinois Urological Society, President of the Medical Staff at both St. Joseph Hospital and Mercy Center in Aurora, the Aurora Country Club, and the 460 W. Downer Condominium Association. He loved to make life better for others, and nothing gave him more joy than to know that he had helped someone to be healthy or to feel better or to be happier. Dr. Ed made house-calls, gave free medical care to the poor, and drove patients to the hospital when needed. Dr. Ed was particularly thankful for his family and friends, and to have had the friendship of many priests and religious, especially from his Affiliation with Marmion Abbey in Aurora (including Abbots Gerald, Mark, David, Vincent, and John, along with Father Bede and others). Through Marmion he gave, with his wife Pat, 31 years of medical care each winter to the poor in Guatemala at Colegio San Jose, along with 25 years of volunteering to provide Christmas trees for families to support Marmion Abbey and Academy in Aurora. With a great sense of humor, together with the deep affection of his family and friends, and a love for people and life and fishing and golf (several times he shot his age after turning 80), Dr. Edward Garrity, Sr., was blessed to have lived a full life which left this world a better place. May his generous service be like a small pebble tossed into a still pond, sending positive ripples out toward all shores. His family express their gratitude for all who have sent their condolences and have known and loved Dr. Ed, and they hope they can imitate his fine legacy of service in some small ways. Funeral services will be Friday, August 25, 2017 at 11:30AM from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY to Holy Angels Church at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Bristol, IL. Visitation will be at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora on Thursday, August 24, from 4:00PM to 7:00PM with a liturgical wake service at 6:30PM. Contributions can be made to Marmion Abbey, Holy Angels School, Rosary High School, the Dominican Literacy Center, all in Aurora, IL; or to Belknap House Cold-Weather Shelter for Families in Laconia, NH; Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, IL; or to Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, FL.