Michael Fogarty

Michael Garrett Fogarty, 84, died Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital - Somerset, in Somerville. Born in Bronx, New York, on May 14, 1933, he was the son of Michael and Margaret [Cleve] Fogarty. He graduated Blessed Sacrament High School, Bronx, Class of 1951. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from Iona College, New Rochelle, New York, Class of 1955, and completed graduate courses in statistics for biological research at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. After graduation he worked at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then served in the United States Army at Fort Detrick, Maryland, as a scientist working on chemical, biological and radiological warfare. He worked at Ethicon in Raritan, as a microbiologist, and was instrumental in the development of Cobalt-60 radiation sterilization before moving on to Becton-Dickinson, where he became a subject matter expert in industrial sterilization. He eventually became Vice President of Compliance and Quality Assurance for Medical Sterilization, Inc., in Long Island. He traveled the world giving seminars on industrial sterilization for the Center for Career Advancement, based in New Brunswick. Above all, Michael was a selfless family man. He was a loving husband of sixty-one years, and a wonderful and dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather who always put his family first. He took great pleasure and pride in the fact that four generations of his family enjoyed swimming in his backyard pool. He was always supportive and generous regardless of the situation. He loved the Jersey shore, taking his family to Wildwood Crest for many years. He was an avid kayaker and tennis player, and enjoyed singing in the church choir and a barbershop quartet. He loved to grill and was an avid reader of history. He was a good friend to many and will be deeply missed. Michael was predeceased by his sisters, Patricia, Sheila and Eileen. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Kennelly) Fogarty, his son, Michael (Laura), daughters Kathleen Hall, Patricia (Brian) McFadden, Eileen (Robert) Whitehead, his grandchildren Sarah, Andrea, Michael, Shannon, Erin, Sean and Megan, great grand-children Alexis and Serenity, and his cousin, Rosemary Omelite, with whom he was very close. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:15 A.M. Saturday, June 24, at the Catholic Church of St. Ann, 45 Anderson Street, Raritan. Cremation was private. Memorial donations may be made to The Making Headway Foundation, 115 King Street, Chappaqua, New York 10514.