John Garry

Described as compassionate, honest, and generous, John Garry was a blessing in the lives of those around him. He lived a rich and rewarding life filled with service to others, his life exemplifying what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord he served. John shared much of his life's journey with the love of his life, and together they were an illustration of what marriage is truly intended to be as their lives together included genuine love, true friendship, and loyal partnership with just the right amount of humor mixed in. He was filled with unspeakable joy as his family tree blossomed to include the generations of children and grandchildren who made him so very proud. John will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through the hearts and lives of those he leaves behind.

The Roaring Twenties was one of the most vibrant decades in the history of our nation. Prosperity dominated our culture, and innovation fueled numerous advancements that transformed the way we lived our daily lives. Motion pictures came alive with both color and sound, radios connected us with the world around us, and legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb commanded baseball fields all across our great land. Nestled within this exciting time there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Chicago, Illinois, as they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby boy on August 4, 1925, within the walls of St. Anne's Hospital. John James was one of five children born to his parents, John and Myrtle (Clarke) Garry, and he was raised in the family home alongside his sisters, Jean, Shirley, Virginia, and Rita.

The landscape of our nation was forever changed with the crash of the stock market on October 29, 1929. This sent not only our country but much of the world spiraling down into the depths of the Great Depression well into the early 1940s, and the Garry family was not immune to the challenges of the times. John and his family were given a tough pill to swallow with the death of his father when John was only six years old. John was a student at St. Philomena's, graduating in 1939. From there he continued his education at Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago in 1944 before attending St. Mary of the Lake seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. John later transferred to the Glenmary Home Missioners in 1948 and was ordained into the priesthood in 1952.

For 11 months, beginning in August of 1956, John served as a priest for Otway, Ohio parish 11. In July of 1957, he returned to Chicago where he spent five months working in the Glenmary home office. In the years that followed, John served as a Catholic missionary in Appalachia and the American South, as a fundraiser in Chicago for Glenmary, and as the National Chaplain of the Catholic War Veterans. He resigned from the priesthood in 1967. The bulk of his working days were spent as an insurance underwriter, and he retired to Monroe, Wisconsin, in 2006.

Life was forever changed for John when he met the love of his life. Her name was Anna Burke. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, John and Anna were married in 1968. Together they lived in Brooklyn, New York, Chicago, and then Villa Park, Illinois, before relocating to Morris, Illinois, in 1976. John and Anna welcomed six children into their hearts and home: John, Patrick, Kevin, Matthew, Katy, and Martin. It was easy to see that John adored Annie. After having a fight it was customary for him to patch things up by saying, "Okay Annie, I will forgive you since I know you are sorry." This would always get a laugh out of her, and all would be right with the world again. John was deeply saddened with the death of his wife on October 5, 1992.

All who knew John would agree that he was one of a kind in every way. He was known for saying things like, "I'm glad you got the chance to meet me, " or, "I'm not sleeping, I'm just resting my eyes," and, "I must be off," whenever he was leaving. John was a devout Catholic throughout his life, and the church played a major role. He attended daily mass almost until his last days. His quick wit remained as well since he enjoyed ruffling his daughter Katy's feathers a bit when he refused to use the railing while ascending the stairs when she dropped him off for mass. John always turned around to make sure she was watching and gave her a little wink. In his free time John loved to play cards, and he also loved to sing. He was often asked to sing "Danny Boy" at weddings, and he frequently sang Irish songs to his wife. John was a Cubs fan through and through, and his family would have loved to have him see them win a World Series.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, John Garry made a significant impact in the world around him. He was a hero to many, especially his baby sister Rita who loved when her older brother took her everywhere as a young girl and was convinced that he could do no wrong. John had a personality that was the heartbeat of wherever he was and a presence that was impossible to miss. He will be missed for his quick witted sayings, his corny jokes, and his timeless wisdom, but it will be his unending love for those around him that will be his lasting legacy.

John James Garry, of Monroe, WI, and formerly Morris, IL, died on Saturday, January 11, 2014.

John's family includes his children: John Garry, Patrick (Tanya) Garry, Kevin (Tara) Garry, Matthew (Leah) Garry, Katy (Michael) Lambert, and Martin (Katherine) Garry; grandchildren: Aidan, Kira, Breanna, Anna, Jack, Sonya, Margaret and Samuel; three sisters: Shirley James, Virginia Biernat, and Rita Reilly; sisters-in-law: Sr. Patricia Burke and Angela (Denny) McAuley.

John was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather John Slepicka; beloved wife Anne; sister Jean Pauly and brothers-in-law: George Biernat, Bill James, Norman Reilly, Roger McAvoy, Robert Pauly and Robert Gorman.

Visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson Street in Morris on Thursday, January 16, 2014, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will follow Friday morning, January 17th at 10:30 a.m. in the church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Michael Klarer officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Morris.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate).

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815/942-2500).