William Joseph Garrity, Jr., 81, of 33 Allendale Road, Pittsfield died Monday morning, April 7th, 2014 at Springside of Pittsfield where he has resided since December 21, 2010. Born on July 12, 1932 in Pittsfield a son of the late W. Joseph Garrity, Sr. and Loretta Hebert Garrity. He attended schools in Pittsfield and was a 1950 graduate of St. Joseph's Central High School. He was a 1954 graduate of College of the Holy Cross where he received his bachelor's degree in history. He was a 1961 graduate of the former North Adams State Teachers College where he received his master's in education. Mr. Garrity was a school teacher for the Central Berkshire Regional School district for 35 years retiring from Kittredge Elementary School in Hinsdale in 1989. He had also taught at the former Dalton Junior High School and at Nessacus Middle School. While at Nessacus the graduating class always picked him as favorite teacher. He was a member of Berkshire Hills Country Club, he had served as past president of the Dalton Rotary, and he was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Retired Massachusetts Teachers Association. He was a communicant of Saint Charles Church and enjoyed golfing and his dogs. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Mr.Garrity is survived by his wife the former Gertrude L. Wyand whom he married April 9, 1976 at First Baptist Church. A son, Michael J. Garrity of Houston, Texas. A daughter, Lisa M. Rodden and her husband, Brian of Sandy Hook, Conn. A sister, Regina Snyder of Pittsfield, Ma. Three grandchildren Brian and Gregory Rodden and Kelly Smeltzer and her husband Blaise. One great grandson, Daniel Smeltzer. Condolences to the family can be made at www.deryfuneralhome.com

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Charles Church, celebrated by the Rev. Peter A. Gregory, pastor. Burial will follow at Saint Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 4 to 7 P.M. at DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers memorials in his memory may be made to The Sisters of Saint Joseph in care of Dery Funeral Home 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, Ma. 01201.

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