John Garrity died Dec. 1, 2009, at the Springs of Whitefish. He was born Sept. 27, 1923, in Moorhead, Minn., one of five children, to Judge James Garrity and Rita M. Garrity. He was raised in Moorhead, where he attended Moorhead State College. He joined the Great Northern Railroad as a locomotive fireman on the Dakota Division in August 1942, and continued working until called into military service with the 714th Operating Railroad Battalion. After three years military service, he returned to the Great Northern as a fireman until January 1952, when he was appointed assistant to the master mechanic at Willmar, Minn. In November 1954, John was appointed traveling engineer at Hillyard, where he served until being transferred to Shelby in January 1955, and then to Cut Bank in March 1955. In January 1957, he was transferred to Whitefish where he remained until his retirement in 1981, as traveling engineer. John married Victoria (Tya) Cyr on July 12, 1952, and later adopted her two sons, James and George. John and Tya enjoyed 52 years of marriage, until her passing in October 2004. After moving to Whitefish in 1957, John became involved in his community and St. Charles Borromeo Church. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. John served on the Whitefish City Council in the 1980s and was Santa Claus in downtown Whitefish for many years, taking his last sleigh ride on the Whitefish Lake Golf Course in December 2002. He fancied himself a friend of those down on their luck and would often anonymously present new shoes or a new coat to people in need. He was also a neighbor who would watch your home while you were away and clean sidewalks of snow for blocks in every direction. John was preceded in death by the love of his life, Tya Garrity, in October 2004; both parents; two brothers and two sisters. He leaves behind his son, James Lamm Garrity, and wife, Patricia, of Fresno, Calif.; one granddaughter, Victoria Garrity, of Fresno; and son, George, and wife, Linda, of Whitefish; a sister-in-law, Esther Garrity; and many nieces and nephews in Minnesota and in California, as well as his best friend, Al Hedrick, who has been with John through thick and thin. John was very fortunate in life. He was able to travel the world, meet the Pope and kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland! He was one of a kind. Some thought John was full of blarney, but you always knew where you stood with him, love him or not! We will always remember this special man. We would like to thank the entire staff at the Springs of Whitefish for their wonderful care and support. The family suggests memorials may be sent to the Whitefish Golden Agers, the North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish, or a charity of your choice. Services will be at 11 am. Monday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Whitefish, with a reception immediately following. Private interment will be in Whitefish Cemetery. Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.