James J. McGarry

James Joseph McGarry, 83, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024. He was born in Brooklyn, NY. He resided in Brooklyn, NY, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, Annandale, NJ and Barnegat, NJ prior to settling in Fort Mill in 2023.

Jim was a member of the U.S. Army - Specialist 4th Class E-4 from 1960 - 1962. He was a clerk typist in Fort Dix, NJ and was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal.

He earned a Bachelors of Science in Business from The College of Insurance, a Masters of Business Administration from Fordham University and a Masters of Economics from Montclair State University. He spent 20+ years in the insurance industry before starting his career working for the New Jersey Department of Labor as a labor market analyst, before retiring in 2009. After retirement, Jim and Marianne moved down the shore to Barnegat, NJ and just recently to Fort Mill, SC in 2023.

Jim was an avid sports fan and especially loved the Boston Red Sox, making dozens of trips to Fenway Park. He also really enjoyed the New York Times crossword, following Gonzaga basketball, watching North Hunterdon High School sports, reading, singing in the church choir, taking long drives around Hunterdon County, going to the bank on Saturday, dancing to his own beat and talking. He truly loved to talk to and connect with people and share his life stories.

He was predeceased by his parents, James and Mary, and his twin sister Mary. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Marianne, his children, Jim McGarry and his wife, Kristen of Waxhaw, NC, Kevin McGarry and his wife, Lori of State College, PA, and Erin Kochel and her husband, Nathan of Pittsburgh, PA; his six grandchildren, Kaleigh and Sean McGarry of State College, PA, Thomas and Caroline McGarry of Waxhaw, NC, and Brigid and Darby Kochel of Pittsburgh, PA.

We will all miss him dearly, but know that he was welcomed into heaven by many family and friends and will be helping Saint Peter to welcome other new arrivals.

Family will greet friends from 3-5pm on Friday, June 28, 2024 at McEwen Funeral Service located at 5716 Monroe Road in Charlotte. Committal service will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 29, 2024 in the chapel of Sharon Memorial Park Mausoleum located at the same address.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).