FRANCIS "FRANK" A. McGARRY

ALBANY - It is with deep love and gratitude that we share the life and legacy of Francis "Frank" A. McGarry, who passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Sunday, August 24th, 2025 surrounded by the love of his family at St. Peter's Hospice Inn after a progressive illness.

Born on June 12th, 1938 in Buffalo, NY, Frank was the cherished son of the late Francis and Mary (McMahon) McGarry. From a young age, Frank possessed an innate curiosity and an unwavering drive to learn. Frank lived a life of conviction, service, and devotion to family, community, and the Catholic Church. Known affectionately for his pizza, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cakes, he believed food was a way to offer warmth and comfort—especially at Thanksgiving, when his home was open to anyone in need. True to the Irish saying Céad Míle Fáilte—a hundred thousand welcomes—anyone who walked through his front door was family.

Frank earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Canisius College and taught history at the secondary level while serving the City of Buffalo Fire Department, and later he also taught at the collegiate level. Frank developed a fire safety training curriculum to train firefighters from across New York State at the State Fire Academy in Montour Falls, NY. He believed strongly in teaching and education and was a lifelong learner himself.

Frank began his distinguished fire safety career in 1959 with the Buffalo Fire Department, where he rose to the rank of Acting Lieutenant before accepting a position in 1967 with the New York State Department of State Division of Community Affairs as Supervisor of Fire Training. In 1979, he was appointed the first State Fire Administrator of New York after Governor Hugh Carey created the position as part of the establishment of the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC). He remained in this position until retiring in 1995. His professional impact extended nationally as President of the National Association of State Fire Marshals from 1995-1998. Frank was a member of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and recognized internationally as a respected leader in fire protection, safety and research. Some of his research included a detailed study of juvenile fire setters in conjunction with the Department of Justice which led to education for curiosity fire setters. Throughout his career, Frank played a leadership role in fire service efforts to promote passage of major pieces of fire and life safety legislation at both the State and Federal level. He served five New York State Governors: Nelson Rockefeller, Malcolm Wilson, Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, and George Pataki.

In addition to his fire service career and service for New York State, Frank was deeply devoted to the service of others, his faith, and his community. Frank served as a Permanent Deacon for the Roman Catholic Church. He performed baptisms, delivered communion to people who were homebound, and co-led Catholic masses at St. Teresa of Avila, St. John's/St. Ann's and other parishes. After retiring from the State, he founded and led Frank McGarry Associates as a Fire Safety Consultant. He dedicated countless hours to volunteering, driving for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, supporting the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, and lending his time and resources to seemingly countless charities.

Frank's family was at the center of his world. He loved nothing more than swimming with his children and grandchildren, gathering for family parties, cheering from the sidelines at his grandchildren's sporting events, or attending their musical recitals and performances. He gave his children and grandchildren love, trust, freedom, and a strong moral foundation, teaching them what it meant to live with strength, compassion, and conviction. He valued education, faith, forgiveness, and professionalism. Frank also had a gift for connection. He could find common ground with anyone. He was generous with his time and had a genuine interest in people, their stories, and their life experiences. He was a listener, a storyteller, a mentor, a man who sacrificed his time and resources to help others achieve their goals, and a fearless advocate for those he loved. He had a quick wit, deep love of family, and more connections than Kevin Bacon. Speaking of bacon, he was an avid connoisseur of all types from Canadian, to Irish, to smoked, thick-cut back bacon! He had an uncanny sense of direction as if he had a detailed road map of all of New York State hard-wired in his brain from all the driving he did for his work. He could eagerly explain the shortest route to anywhere including destinations outside the state - even Sweden.

Frank's happiest moments were often simple ones: reminiscing at the firehouse table, breakfasts with his cousin, Albany Fire Department (AFD) Lt. Nancy Horn and many other AFD brothers and sisters, attending every retirement party, or enjoying a bacon themed breakfast with coffee and a story with his family. He loved the Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees, and Liverpool FC.

Above all, Frank will be remembered for his leadership, his generosity, and his steadfast devotion to the safety, education, and well-being of others. He gave his family and friends the gifts of love and resilience, and leaves behind a legacy that will be carried forward in the lives of all who knew him.

Frank is survived by his longtime partner and companion Kathleen McCoy; nine beloved children: Laura (Edwin) Graham, Francis (Jacqlynn) McGarry, James (Helen) McGarry, Maria (Matthew) Walker, Kateri McGarry, Erin (Rafael) McGarry-Martinez, Kevin (Amanda) McGarry, Sean (Kerstin) McGarry, and Jennifer (Anthony) Quinn; his sixteen adored grandchildren: Meaghan, Conor, Aidan, Claire, Peter, Beren, Alec, William, Brendan, Elizabeth, Joseph, Leo, Kaiyden, Raymond, Genevieve, and Drew; as well as two sisters Joanne (Ted) Berdzik, and Eileen (John) Hummel, his brother-in-law Fred Schultz, and countless cousins nieces and nephews.

In addition to Frank's late parents, he is predeceased by his sister Ann Marie Schultz as well as his former wife and the mother of his children, Joan McGarry née Knapp.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, August 28th, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at The Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 29th, 2025 beginning at 9:00 AM at St. Ambrose Church, 347 Old Loudon Rd., Latham with Reverend Brian Kelly, celebrant. Entombment to follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank's memory to The Community Hospice (communityhospice.org/donate) or the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York (regionalfoodbank.net).

For further information or to express a message of condolence please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.