Daniel Robert McGarry
September 8, 1950 ~ September 26, 2022
Master raconteur, country lawyer, loving husband, father, and brother Daniel Robert McGarry passed away September 26, 2022 at the age of 72.
Dan was truly a “Renaissance Man”: fisherman, bass player, home engineer/designer/builder, tough litigator, and fierce advocate for the needy and disabled. Gifted with the ability to appreciate human nature with all its humorous foibles and sympathetic underpinnings, Dan had the ability to “spin a yarn” in the style of America’s greatest humorists, never missing a detail or character inference that would depict a lesson in human wisdom by delivering a humorous twist at the end. He was a man of few words, and what made him special is that he was an elegant man, a kind man, a man of brevity, wit, and compassion, with a genius flair for humor.
Born in Pensacola, Florida in 1950, Dan’s father, USN Captain William John McGarry graduated U.S. Naval Academy, served the United States Navy, including the naval “quarantine” effort in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Dan’s mother, Eleanor May Green was a talented artist, museum docent, and loving mother of three. In the mid-1960s, the McGarry’s migrated to McLean, Virginia where Dan, the youngest, graduated Langley High School in 1968. He earned his B.S. in Psychology at Dickinson College (1972) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he served as President of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi; and, in 1975, Dan completed his J.D. from University of Richmond.
Serving as President of Beta Theta Pi was no easy task, particularly in the “Animal House” era; but the “Betas” were a breed apart. They gave real parties, with real food and real music. This colorful experience set the stage for Dan to develop an outstanding skill set that would serve him not only in his professional career, but throughout his entire lifetime. While much of what happened at Beta Theta Pi is yet to be written, the “Betas” unanimously recognized something unique and special in Dan: the artful negotiator, the gentlemanly scholar, the humorous advocate, the charming apologist. Who, other than Dan McGarry in suit and tie, could interface with the Academic Dean of Dickenson College?
Dan remained a fierce advocate for all fellow human beings throughout his lifetime, especially those in need who suffered disabilities and mental health challenges, particularly America’s beloved veterans with PTSD and other unresolved health issues. Having begun his career as a Magistrate, Dan had his own general law practice from 1976-1995 in Fairfax, Virginia, after which he dedicated his considerable talent to Bureau of Veteran Affairs (1995-2005) as an Advocate for Veterans writing pleadings to help them seek increased access to healthcare benefits. Subsequently, he dedicated his career to vulnerable fellow civilians, many of whom were homeless and estranged from their families. As Special Advocate for Mental Health Commitment Hearings (2005-present) for the County of Fairfax, Virginia, Dan’s later life was a 24/7 vocation: part-pastor, part-physician, part-lawyer, part-social worker serving society’s most needy with perseverance, dedication, and compassion.
Dan’s life was a faith journey that began with love of God, country, his parents, his siblings, and his children, further enhanced by his love and devotion for his loving wife Grace with whom he journeyed until his final breath. Daniel McGarry achieved greatness by his self-effacing humility, perpetual faith, fidelity to country and family, and generous love for his fellow man.
Dan was predeceased by his sister, Anita McGarry; father, William John McGarry; mother, Eleanor May Green; and stepfather Charles F. Hobelmann.
His survivors include his wife, Grace E. Wright; son, Patrick Daniel McGarry (Kathy); son Christopher John McGarry (Nancy, mother); and brother, Fred James McGarry (Marlene).
Dan was truly a “Renaissance Man”: fisherman, bass player, home engineer/designer/builder, tough litigator, and fierce advocate for the needy and disabled. Gifted with the ability to appreciate human nature with all its humorous foibles and sympathetic underpinnings, Dan had the ability to “spin a yarn” in the style of America’s greatest humorists, never missing a detail or character inference that would depict a lesson in human wisdom by delivering a humorous twist at the end. He was a man of few words, and what made him special is that he was an elegant man, a kind man, a man of brevity, wit, and compassion, with a genius flair for humor.
Born in Pensacola, Florida in 1950, Dan’s father, USN Captain William John McGarry graduated U.S. Naval Academy, served the United States Navy, including the naval “quarantine” effort in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Dan’s mother, Eleanor May Green was a talented artist, museum docent, and loving mother of three. In the mid-1960s, the McGarry’s migrated to McLean, Virginia where Dan, the youngest, graduated Langley High School in 1968. He earned his B.S. in Psychology at Dickinson College (1972) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he served as President of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi; and, in 1975, Dan completed his J.D. from University of Richmond.
Serving as President of Beta Theta Pi was no easy task, particularly in the “Animal House” era; but the “Betas” were a breed apart. They gave real parties, with real food and real music. This colorful experience set the stage for Dan to develop an outstanding skill set that would serve him not only in his professional career, but throughout his entire lifetime. While much of what happened at Beta Theta Pi is yet to be written, the “Betas” unanimously recognized something unique and special in Dan: the artful negotiator, the gentlemanly scholar, the humorous advocate, the charming apologist. Who, other than Dan McGarry in suit and tie, could interface with the Academic Dean of Dickenson College?
Dan remained a fierce advocate for all fellow human beings throughout his lifetime, especially those in need who suffered disabilities and mental health challenges, particularly America’s beloved veterans with PTSD and other unresolved health issues. Having begun his career as a Magistrate, Dan had his own general law practice from 1976-1995 in Fairfax, Virginia, after which he dedicated his considerable talent to Bureau of Veteran Affairs (1995-2005) as an Advocate for Veterans writing pleadings to help them seek increased access to healthcare benefits. Subsequently, he dedicated his career to vulnerable fellow civilians, many of whom were homeless and estranged from their families. As Special Advocate for Mental Health Commitment Hearings (2005-present) for the County of Fairfax, Virginia, Dan’s later life was a 24/7 vocation: part-pastor, part-physician, part-lawyer, part-social worker serving society’s most needy with perseverance, dedication, and compassion.
Dan’s life was a faith journey that began with love of God, country, his parents, his siblings, and his children, further enhanced by his love and devotion for his loving wife Grace with whom he journeyed until his final breath. Daniel McGarry achieved greatness by his self-effacing humility, perpetual faith, fidelity to country and family, and generous love for his fellow man.
Dan was predeceased by his sister, Anita McGarry; father, William John McGarry; mother, Eleanor May Green; and stepfather Charles F. Hobelmann.
His survivors include his wife, Grace E. Wright; son, Patrick Daniel McGarry (Kathy); son Christopher John McGarry (Nancy, mother); and brother, Fred James McGarry (Marlene).
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Dan was a rock in an uncertain world. I was privileged to be an advocate with him for the mentally ill in temporary detainment hearings. He was always available to substitute in when I was unable to be at a scheduled hearing. I greatly appreciated our conversations whenever they occurred. His reputation as a caring and zealous advocate is a goal for us all.