Philip James Garry

Philip Garry, age 92, passed away peacefully at home on August 24, 2025, with his loving wife Janis by his side.

Phil graduated from the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science; later he received his PhD degree from The Ohio State University. His professional career began at the Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and he spent 25 years at the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine, where he directed the New Mexico Aging Process Study. He retired in 1999 as Professor Emeritus. Phil published over 150 articles during his professional career and received many honors related to his research. His highest honor was a MERIT award from the National Institute on Aging.

Phil was born to Thomas and Florence Garry in 1933. He spent his boyhood life in Bancroft, Iowa and graduated from St. John's High School in Bancroft.

Phil and Janis enjoyed traveling and visited many of the National Parks, for example: Sequoia, Mesa Verde, Yosemite, Zion and Yellowstone National Parks. They traveled to Australia and Hawaii and also had wonderful trips to Alaska, Italy, Scotland, England and Mexico.

In France they visited all the famous museums in Paris, spent time with a good friend, Dr. Bruno Vellas and his wife in Toulouse and spent five days in a lovely small village south of Paris called Mirepoix. While in Mirepoix they visited Fanjeaux, the town where Saint Dominic experienced a sign from God. They also visited the Carcassonne castle. The most memorable trips were two to Ireland. The first was an excursion by car over much of Ireland. They took a second trip to Ireland to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary and stayed a week at Parknasilla, a beautiful family hotel in County Kerry. 

For 20 years, an annual highlight for Phil was a wilderness canoe trip to Quetico Provincial Park in Canada with his brother, Pat and Pat's family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice Walsh; four brothers, Richard, Patrick, John and Tom, as well as two sisters, Rose and Louise, and niece, Margaret Garry. He is survived by his wife, Janis, one brother, George and Alice's sister, Marmion Walsh. He is also survived by his step- family, Meg, Sean and Hugh, and numerous nieces, nephews, sisters-in- law, and godchildren.

Phil would like to be remembered by his family and friends for the following qualities: a happy Irishman, a loving husband, a life-long Catholic, a staunch Democrat, a loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan, and a friend of chihuahuas during their lifetime. In summary, Phil saw the beauty of the oceans of Hawaii, the outback of Australia, glaciers in Alaska and many National Parks during his lifetime.

A Funeral Mass preceded by a Rosary will be held October 7, 2025, at San Ysidro Catholic Church, 5015 Corrales Rd., Corrales, NM, with Rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m. and Mass at 10:00 a.m. Mourners may wish to remember Phil by a contribution to their favorite charity.