Born in Carnegie, Pa., Father McGarry lived in Niagara Falls and graduated from Niagara University and Our Lady of Angels Seminary. He was ordained in 1959. 

In his first year as a priest he served as assistant director of St. Vincent de Paul Camp and as an assistant at St. Joseph New Cathedral.

Later, Father McGarry served at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Niagara Falls starting in 1964 and moved to St. Joseph Parish, North Tonawanda in 1968.

In 1971, Father McGarry became a military chaplain and went on to hold the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 

He took on the responsibilities as temporary administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Corfu and St. Patrick, Crittenden in 1991. In 1992 Father McGarry became pastor at Prince of Peace Parish, Niagara Falls. Later the parish would merge with St. Vincent de Paul and St. Leo parishes. He served the parish until his retirement in 2001.

A Funeral Mass will be said for Father McGarry at St Vincent de Paul Parish / Prince of Peace Worship Site in Niagara Falls and a public memorial will take place after the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.