U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam War

Published August 21, 2019

LYNNFIELD — Owen J. McGarrahan Jr., 77, a longtime resident of Lynnfield, died Monday, Aug. 19, 2019 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Born in Boston on Dec. 3, 1941, he was the son of the late Owen J. McGarrahan, Sr. and Ellen (Golden) McGarrahan.

Mr. McGarrahan was raised in Milton and attended St. Francis High School in Biddeford, Maine. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country during Vietnam. Once he returned, he went back to school and received his bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College in Biddeford.

After meeting his wife, Karen (Borg) through their parents, the two were married and soon moved to Lynnfield, where they raised their family and resided for 45 years. Together, they were longtime parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption Church. They also loved to travel with family and friends; returning to Maine many times over for reunions, summering on the Cape, and visiting Aruba as often as they could.

Mr. McGarrahan had worked for the MWRA and retired as a senior right-of-way agent. He was an avid sports fan and loved New England sports teams, most especially the Red Sox. He also had a love for all dogs, and they all loved him. Above all things, Mr. McGarrahan loved his grandchildren and supported them in everything they did. He cherished their time spent together and watching their recitals and sporting events.

He was the beloved husband of Karen (Borg) McGarrahan, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. He was the loving father of Tara Rich and her husband J. Eric of Peabody and Owen J. McGarrahan III and his wife Beth of Hampstead, New Hampshire. He was the cherished grandfather of Devin Rich and Thomas, Luke and Jack McGarrahan. He was the brother of Ellen Gallagher of Canton and the late Emily Wright, John McGarrahan and Robert McGarrahan. He was the brother-in-law of Margaret Hartnett and her husband Laurence of Lynnfield. He is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield. Visitation for relatives and friends will take place at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970.