Garry Francis McElroy

Garry Francis McElroy, 82, of Lafayette, NJ, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family, on August 25, 2025.
Born on December 24, 1942 to Mary and Guy McElroy in Washington Heights, NY, Garry grew up alongside his sisters, Violet, Shirley, and Arlene. Garry enlisted in the United States Navy after high school and was honorably discharged. Upon his discharge, he joined Local 3 International Brotherhood of the Electrical Industry in 1963, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.
In 1970, Garry married Denise Neville, his sweetheart. The couple started a new life together filled with love and devotion. They moved to Pompton Plains, NJ in 1972, where they welcomed and raised their beloved daughters, Danielle, Jeannine, and Nicole. Garry was an exceptional dad and his girls were the light of his life.
Garry was very knowledgeable in auto repair and home remodeling from top to bottom. He was a car and motorcycle enthusiast and proudly wore his work boots and Carhartts. He found his joy working on anything, so much so that people said he had golden hands. Garry had his way of doing things and he was always right. If he couldn't find the right tool, he would make it. He was proud and humble and never quit until the job was done. He was a man who was much admired by his friends for his sincerity, reliability, and fierce loyalty.
In 2000, Garry and Denise moved to Lafayette, NJ to buy a house with land. He was a skilled craftsman, a quality that led him to one of his proudest accomplishments: building his dream garage from the ground up.
Days will pass, and even years, but we will always remember you, Garry, with silent tears.
Garry is lovingly survived by his wife of 55 years, Denise; his three daughters, Danielle McElroy, Jeannine VanSant and her husband Steve, and Nicole Vital and her husband Drew; his cherished grandchildren, Tanner Bednarski, Jacob and Jessica VanSant, and Aaron and Devin Vital; and his sisters, Violet Hannagan and the the late John Hannagan, and Shirley Tracy and the late Robert Tracy. Garry was the dear brother in-law to Brian Sloan, Mary Ellen Flanagan and the late Hugh J. Flanagan, Michael and Ilva Neville, and the late John Neville. He was the loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. Garry was predeceased by his sister, Arlene Sloan.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 pm Thursday, August 28 at Scanlan's, Pompton Plains. A funeral Mass will be held 10 am Friday, August 29 at Our Lady of Good Counsel RC Church, Pompton Plains. Interment will follow at Northern New Jersey Veterans memorial Cemetery, Sparta.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital would be really appreciated by the family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Garry, please visit our floral store.