~ Malden Musings ~ “Happy Birthday 104 Jack Garrity“

By Peter Levine

Every once in a while, you meet a human being who blows away all expectations. That happened to yours truly recently, me walking away a better person for the encounter. Yes, that encounter fell into my lap, thanks to a friend, after I sat down with one of the “Greatest Generation,” 104 years young (July 26) World War II vet and retired City of Malden Fire Chief Jack Garrity.

It was the pleasure of a lifetime meeting a real-life American hero and Malden superstar. I have a feeling that Jack might wince at that description; from what I have learned over time, real-life heroes, like Jack, are extremely modest. Cutting to the chase, as the cliche goes, they just don’t make them like “Smiling Jack” Garrity any longer – that’s for sure.

I met with Jack, two of his lovely daughters, June and Lorri, and an old friend of the family, former CEO of the Highland Cafe Dave Angelo, at Jack’s current residence in North Reading. Jack wears his humility/modesty on his sleeve. Still sharp as a tack, we bantered back and forth for over an hour; we could have gone on longer; Jack didn’t tire – I did!

His long, remarkable existence, by any measure, was/is a lesson in a life well lived; his family, the foundation. Daughter Lorri related how… “He has always been our moral compass and is the greatest dad in the world. He worked hard his entire life, motivated by his love of family, the fire department, and his country. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Jack’s dad Alexander had a huge impact in his life (I promised Jack I would try not to make this article about his father – insert smiley face). A beloved Malden police officer in the 1920s (retired in 1953), he was a role model for his son and instilled in him not only important life lessons but many of the intangibles that made Jack the man of honor he grew into.

On a side note, Police Commissioner Salvatore Gennetti is a friend of Jack and was close with his dad. Butchie confirmed to me everything Jack had told me about his father. He was genuinely loved by all. Butchie, by the way, in a show of friendship was gifted by Alex his police belt that he wore as a patrolman policing the streets of old Faulkner and Suffolk Square. Alex was revered by the large Jewish population (he even spoke a little Yiddish, I was told) for his honesty and compassion.

His life story: I am at a loss at which point I am most impressed with. I guess ya gotta start with his war record. After graduating Malden High in 1938 and after the attack on Pearl Harbor (already a member of the Malden Fire Dept. in 1941), he enlisted and served with the Army’s 14^th Flying Tigers. While in the Pacific, he served as a radio operator, a mechanic and a gunner on B-25s flying in over 50 combat missions over India, Burma, China and the air offensive over Japan! Think about that for a moment. Fifty missions!! He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (with oak leaf cluster), five Bronze Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon and the American Theater Ribbon! Holy cow! Audie Murphy ain’t got nothing on our Jack Thomas Garrity! Amazing!

Miscellaneous takeaways from my sit down with Jack:

1. As far as his longevity goes, I jokingly suggested to him with flying over 50 combat missions in World War II and working for the fire department for over 40 years in (mostly) pre-Urban Renewal Malden that possibly “luck” might have come into play at some point in time. He adroitly commented, concurring, “better lucky than good, Peter.” Love it, Mr. G!

2. I knew I was “In Like Flynn” when we both agreed that Chuckin‘ Charlie O’Rourke may have been Malden’s GOAT. I caught Jack by surprise when I told him I was a big fan of Charlie and knew all about his high school, college and pro careers. Jack remarked something to the effect that if “you know who Charlie O’Rourke is, you’re an okay Joe in my book.” Made my day.

3. Picked up pieces while sitting and listening…Jack remembers, like it was yesterday, that terrible night in 1972 when the Centre Methodist burned down; cites his cutting the firefighter work week down to 42 hours from 84 hours as one of his greatest accomplishments; he loved the job and the camaraderie he shared with fellow firefighters; the Highland Cafe was his favorite restaurant, and Dave (Angelo) met future wife Donna by chance one night when she came into the Highland with Jack’s daughter Lorri.

4. And finally, possibly my favorite takeaway from my sit down with Jack was his philosophy on life and longevity; one of life’s simplest perhaps, but for many, the hardest to actually apply: “Everything in moderation and enjoy every day.” Bam! He continued – I am paraphrasing a bit – also musing that “worrying” just ain’t worth it. That life has its ups and downs, they will also pass (Jack a George Harrison fan?). “Enjoy the moment” is what I’ll always remember. Thank you for that, sir.

I put the call out to Facebook for “Friends of Jack” to wish him a happy birthday. I was flooded with well-wishers – over 75 before I submitted this article. Here are but a few…

• Beth Lowenstein: “HBD Chief! My dad worked with you on the MFD and my sister Rie and I went to school with your daughter June. Enjoy your special day.”
• Rick J. Wilson: “I worked for Chief Garrity when I was in high school. Just the nicest human I can remember. HBD to you Chief.”
• Retired Firefighter Jimmy McGonagle: “HBD Chief Garrity!”
• Retired Firefighter Mike Craven: “My dad was on the MFD during the same time frame you were Chief. HBD Chief!”
• Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe: “HBD Chief Garrity!”
• Amanda Boyle Grazioso: “HBD from the entire Boyle family!”
• Steve Jesi: “Happiest 104th birthday Chief Garrity! The Barnes Ave neighborhood was always safe when you were around. God bless you.”
• Former Ward 3 Councillor Paul DiPietro: “HBD Chief! Fond memories of Brother Garrity, from the 19 Claremont St DiPietro’s.”
• Marty Keane: “HBD Chief! Hope to visit you soon!”
• Robin Farren: “Gentleman Jack, happy 104th BD to Lorri‘s sweet father! Always a delightful fellow. You’ve done well Mr. Garrity.”
• Barbara Mcglinchy: “Happy birthday from Barbara and Kevin Mcglinchy!”
• Cliff Jacobs: “HBD Chief Garrity, you were always a fair man. 104 – my Lord, what staying power! God bless you, Chief!”

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – retired Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis at times may come off like Sergeant Joe Friday (“just the facts, ma’am”), but don’t let that particular facade fool ya; he’s another Maldonian with as much compassion as all outdoors – one who never fails to deliver, straight fire from his heart and soul. His reverence for those that came before us, for those that made a difference in our lives, is legendary. Thank you, Chief, for these thoughtful and heartfelt words: “growing up in Malden you would most often hang around with kids whose dads were cops or firemen. Chief Garrity was one of them. He was someone who we all respected as an American and Malden icon for his service to our country and our city. He carried himself as a dedicated, highly competent professional and he did it with a quiet and dignified humility. He is a living American and Malden story, and I am happy that it has been a lengthy story of 104 years which I hope has many more pages…”

Postscript 1: At this point, much to my regret, I must stop babbling. With only 1,500 words allotted each week, I am almost at my limit. With that said, let’s hear from a good friend of Jack’s, the Honorable Mayor of Malden, Gary Christenson: “they say that everyone changes over time, but I would have to say that one exception is Jack Garrity. Each time I go to visit him, I marvel that at 104 years old we continue to have the best discussions about everything from WWII to the Malden High School Golden Tornadoes. Speaking of which, I like to think that it was Jack’s well wishes just before last year’s football game at Fenway Park that propelled the team to the big win. Our motto is ‘Strong Past, Proud Future’ and if there is anyone that is indicative of that motto, it’s Jack Garrity. Happy birthday, my friend!”

Postscript 2: Jack, I sincerely hope you had a wonderful birthday and that you enjoyed my humble tribute. It was love at first sight when we met – and we will meet again soon, my friend. With that said: “Happy trails to you, till we meet again, some trails are happy ones, others are blue, It’s the way you ride the trail that counts, here’s a happy one for you.” Happy trails Jack, till we meet again.

— Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.