Longtime Monroe Doctor, James Garrity Dies at Age 80

Dr. James David Garrity, age 80, of Stratford, a physician in Monroe for over 40 years, died at St. Vincent’s Medical Center on Thursday, Aug. 25.

The beloved husband of Anne O’Neill Garrity, he was born in Bridgeport on September 16, 1930, the son of the late Walter and Mary (Bannon) Garrity. He was a graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School (winner of the first four-year academic scholarship), Fairfield University, and received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine.

He served his country as a Senior Assistant Surgeon for the U.S. Public Health Service at the Kiawa Hospital in Lawton, OK. He then was a family practice physician in Monroe for more than 40 years. Dr. Garrity was an active member of the medical staff at St. Vincent’s, where he met his wife of 53 years, Anne, during his residency and her nursing training.

He contributed to his community in numerous ways, including assistant medical examiner for Fairfield and New Haven counties, police and fire department surgeon, town health officer, police commissioner, and physician for numerous school and town sports teams.

Dr. Garrity was a devout Catholic, and was a former member of St. Jude's RC Church in Monroe, and was a communicant at St. Mark's RC Church in Stratford.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children and their families: Bridget (Lawrence Sweeney) of Morris, CT; Moira (Karen Takeda) of Bristol, VT; James D. Jr. (Nancy Juda) of Bethesda, MD; Timothy of Atlanta, GA; Sheilagh (Lisa Rowley) of McBee, SC; Peter (Karen) of Wrentham, MA; and Christopher of Somerset, MA; his grandchildren Celia, Connor, Christopher, Simon, Ruth, Timothy, Meghan, Peter, Sean, and Katy; and great-grandchildren Jake and Ben. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Doris Garrity of Fairfield, CT; Marilyn Garrity of Scituate, MA; Maureen O’Neill Kocher of Boca Raton, FL; Jean O’Neill of Stratford, CT; brother-in-law Peter O’Neill (Alice) of New Cumberland, PA; daughters-in law Gail Marks of Willimantic, CT, and Bonnie Norman of Bethesda, MD, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, the extended Garrity and O’Neill clan, many friends, and hundreds of patients whom he proudly and lovingly treated.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers John, Walter, and Joseph; his office assistant Peg Dolzani; and his beloved youngest daughter Katie.

Friends are invited to go directly to St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, on Wednesday at 11 a.m., for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be private. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark Church Organ Fund or memorial masses may be said for Dr. Garrity. For condolences and more information visit www.redgatehennessy.com