Paul Gerard Garrity Sr.

A resident of Clinton, CT, formerly of Madison, passed away on Feb. 10, 2008 at Yale New Haven Hospital of cancer. He was 84 years of age. Born on May 2, 1923 in Concord, NH, he was the son of the late Frank Garrity and Eileen (Leahy) Garrity of Arlington, MA. Mr. Garrity graduated from Harvard University and Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, he was President of his Class, Captain of the Harvard Football Team and Coached Harvard Football while in Harvard Business School. Paul Garrity, Sr. served his country in W.W. II and the Korean War as a Naval Officer. He was an entrepreneur of many businesses, most notably Garrity Industries, established in 1967. He was the first to introduce disposable cigarette lighters in North America, and later transformed Garrity Industries into a leading Brand name of household flashlights and lanterns. The most notable of his products was the Life-lite, the industries leading heavy duty disposable flashlight. Life-lite has been the fire fighters' choice when combating fires and has saved many lives across North America. Mr. Garrity remained Chmn/CEO of Garrity Industries until its sale to Duracell, a division of Proctor & Gamble, on March 31, 2006. He is survived by his wife Diane (DeCarlo) Garrity, 3 sons and their wives: Kevin and Tina Garrity of Madison, CT., Paul, Jr. and Bernadette Garrity of Essex, CT, Sean and Denise Garrity of Madison, CT and 13 grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sister Eileen (Garrity) Frink and his brother Frank Garrity. He is also survived by two brothers, Donald and Russell Garrity. Family and friends may visit the Swan Funeral Home, 80 E. Main St., CLINTON, CT on Wednesday. February 13, 2008 from 3-7 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 54 Grove St., Clinton, CT at 10 AM on Thursday, with committal to follow at River View Cemetery in Essex with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave., P.O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450 or to Tilton School, 30 School St., Tilton, NH 03276.