Paul Halpin Garrity

Former U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod Commanding Officer

Sandwich – Paul H. Garrity passed away peacefully at his home in Sandwich on August 31, 2015, surrounded by his family after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. He was 67.

A native of Kensington, CT, Paul was the son of the late George M. Garrity Sr. and Anna (Kamb) Garrity. After graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, CT, Paul was selected to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT where he completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with honors, and earned a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard.

While at Aquinas, he met the love of his life, Patricia Erwin of Newington, CT, and in 1970 they were married at the Coast Guard Academy Chapel in New London. After a tour at sea, out of Governor’s Island, New York City, Paul was selected for Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida. In 1971, he earned his Naval Aviator designation #1530, and he and Pat were transferred to Air Station Cape Cod, where their daughter Kathryn Elizabeth was born. In 1974 they were transferred to Air Station Astoria, Oregon where their son Michael Paul was born, and in 1978 the family was transferred to Coast Guard Air Station Cape May, New Jersey where daughter Kristine Patricia was born. Subsequent tours of duty included the Coast Guard Aircraft Program Office in Grand Prairie, TX, the Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Facility in Elizabeth City, NC and a return to Cape Cod as the Commanding Officer of the Air Station. Paul also earned his Master’s Degree in Industrial Administration in 1986 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.

The highlight of his career was as the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. Under his command, the men and women assigned to the Air Station distinguished themselves during both Hurricane Bob in August, 1991 as well as a second severe winter storm which began on October 27 and would later to be known as ‘The Perfect Storm’. As the on-scene commander during this event, he personally directed search-and-rescue efforts which led to the rescue of the crew of a fishing vessel, sinking in 50-knot winds and 20-foot seas.

Also in 1991, the unit at Air Station Cape Cod rapidly deployed two aviation detachments to the Persian Gulf War Zone and the Kuwaiti Theatre of Operations to track the largest oil spill in the history of mankind. The CG aviation detachment completed over 40 oil-mapping sorties and performed smoke identification missions to evaluate the atmospheric impact of burning Kuwaiti wells. As a result of these outstanding efforts, Captain Garrity was recognized by the Navy League as the recipient of the David H. Jarvis Award which is presented annually to an officer “…who has made an outstanding contribution to the high standards to leadership traditional in the United Sates Coast Guard.”

After his retirement in 1993, Paul went on to a distinguished career as an aviation consultant, advising foreign coast guard officials around the world. Although his work brought him to many exotic foreign locations, he was always happiest when returning home to Cape Cod.

In addition to his wife Patricia, Paul is survived by his daughter Kathryn (Robert) Aldrich of Sandwich, MA, son Michael (Jessica) Garrity of Kensington, CT and daughter Kristine (Thomas) O’Brien of Haverhill, MA. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Kevin and Madeline Aldrich, Ryan and Brandon Garrity, and Gavin and Avery O’Brien. His brother George M. (Linda) Garrity of Kensington, CT and many beloved nieces and nephews also survive him. He was also predeceased by their first daughter, Elizabeth Ann.

Visitation will be held at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home on Rte. 6A in Sandwich from 4:00 until 8:00 on Thursday, September 3, 2015. A funeral Mass will be held at Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 11:00 and burial with full military honors will be held at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.

If you wish to make a donation in Paul’s honor, the family suggests either the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 or The Coast Guard Heritage Museum, 3353 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630.

Friends may share condolences online and sign the guest book at www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com