DR. THOMAS F. FOGARTY

Dr. Thomas F. Fogarty, 79, of Pelham, NY, one of the nation's leading family psychiatrists over the past 35 years, died July 26 after a lengthy illness. A respected clinician, teacher and author, Dr. Fogarty served many of Westchester's families in his family therapy practice. He was known for his availability as well as the clarity and creativity of his interventions. The author of numerous Journal articles and book chapters as well as a recent book on Relationship Triangles and Psychotherapy, Dr. Fogarty's writings remain a comprehensive bedrock in the field of family therapy. During his professional career, he was the co-founder in 1973 of the Center for Family Learning in New Rochelle/Rye Brook as well as its Associate Director for many years. In addition, he was a faculty member at Albert Einstein Medical Center, St. John's University and Iona College Graduate School. Dr. Fogarty graduated from Regis High School, an all-scholarship Jesuit high school in Manhattan, Fordham University and New York Medical College. He completed an internal medicine residency in Connecticut and a psychiatric residency at Georgetown University Medical Center where he returned each year to lecture at their national symposium. Of all his many accomplishments, Dr. Fogarty is best remembered for his clinical research on family systems that produced many original concepts and clinical methods that have had widespread influence in this country and abroad. Dr. Fogarty was devoted to his family, friends, and patients. In his office, he kept a statute of The Thinker, by Auguste Rodin to symbolize contemplation and the power of thought, a statue of the Holy Family as testimony to the central importance of family, and a statue of praying hands to signify spirituality and the influence of prayer. He was known for his concise style, intellectual precision, and intolerance of the pretentious. His wit and humor were much admired and appreciated. In an autobiographical statement, he noted that faith comes easily to the Irishman, openness only with a struggle. He derived a sense of meaning in life in moving his own family forward and bringing many hundreds of families closer together through his work. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Teresa and his five children: Jim (Renee) of Yorktown Heights, NY; Tom (Nancy) of Annandale, VA; Maureen (Artie Carlucci) of Pleasantville, NY; Colleen of Bronxville, NY, Teresa Davey (Mark) of Bath, Ohio and 14 grandchildren as well as a brother, Joseph Fogarty of Bellingham, WA. Visiting Saturday 7-9 pm and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel, 16 Shea Pl., New Rochelle. Mass Monday, 9:30 am, at Blessed Sacrament Church. Interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231. www.LloydMaxcy.com