by NZ CATHOLIC staff
NEW PLYMOUTH — A priest who ministered mostly under the shadow
of Mt Taranaki for seven decades has passed away.
Francis Patrick (Frank) Garty died at New Plymouth’s Sunhaven
Rest Home on March 18, aged 93.
He is remembered for being a powerful and engaging preacher, but
with deep empathy for people. He was a priest who could talk to anybody.
Fr Garty was ordained in 1944.
He served in Lower Hutt, Linton, Manaia, Wellington, Levin, Kaponga,
Waitara, Opunake, Brooklands and New Plymouth, before retiring in 1998.
In 1993, he received the Queen’s Service Medal for service to the community.
Fr Garty was farewelled in vigil and requiem Masses from St
Patrick’s Church in Kaponga.
The principal celebrant at the vigil Mass was Bishop Charles Drennan
and at the requiem Mass it was Bishop Owen Dolan.
Fr Garty lay in state in the Opunake presbytery, before the vigil Mass.
He was interred at Kaponga Cemetery.
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