Thomas M. Mcgarrity

With both heavy and grateful hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Thomas Martin McGarrity, of Berlin, New Jersey, who was reunited with his Heavenly Father and taken back into Holy Mary’s embrace, on August, 19, 2024, at age 80. Born in Philadelphia, PA, the baby of John and Margaret’s seven children, Tom grew up in the St. Martin of Tours Parish and graduated from Father Judge High School in 1962. From the ages of 19-50, Tom worked for Signal Delivery. Active for many years in the Teamsters Union, Local 107, Tom served as a Union Steward whose knowledge and principled voice represented and advocated for countless fellow members. Late in his career, and in preparation for permanent job loss, Tom took Nursing prerequisite courses that positioned him to enter Burlington County School of Nursing and embark on his second career. He graduated as a Registered Nurse the year he turned 50 and went on to serve the injured, sick and dying with compassion and expertise from 1994 -2010.

Tom regaled all who knew him (or just met him!) with interesting, wise and humorous stories of his life experiences as well as anecdotes from world, American, Irish and sports histories, and he avidly sought and shared stories about his family ancestry. Tom also enjoyed rooting for the Eagles and the Phillies with members of his family. After being volunteered by his sons in the late ‘70s to coach soccer, a sport he soon learned quickly, Tom proceeded to coach all five of his children in the Marlton Rec Council Soccer Program over the next decade. He was a Founder and the First President of the Cherokee High School Soccer Booster Club. Tom’s life exemplified hard work, dedication to family, resilience and strength, and he championed integrity, kindness and empathy.

Tom is survived by his adoring wife of 58 years, Colette (nee Lent), his sons Thomas (Terry), Sean (Karen) and Kevin (Hazel), his daughters Colette (Michael), and Megan (Chris) his grandchildren Erin, Sean, Alexis, Melissa, Kaitlyn, Declan and Helen, his devoted dog, Fiona, his siblings Richard (Trudy), Francis (Ruth), Joe (Linda), Sister Mary McGarrity and is predeceased by siblings John (Shirley) and James (Betty). He also leaves behind many cherished nephews and nieces.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Monday evening, August 26, 2024 at the LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ 08004 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, a second visitation will be held at St. Joan of Arc Church, 101 Evans Rd. Marlton, NJ from 10 AM to 11 AM where friends and family are invited to celebrate his beautiful life followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM at the St. Joan of Arc Church.

In lieu of flowers, Tom asked that loved ones do a good deed. Let’s us all continue his legacy of caring.