Robert Arthur McGarry, (Bobby) 79, passed away on September 6, 2015 at the home of his niece, Allison McNaughton.

Born in Waltham on May 8, 1936 and raised in Winthrop. He served as a weather observer in the US Air Force where he received the Air Force Outstanding Unit award in 1957and was honorably discharged in December 1962.

He had polio as a young boy and in October 1987 Bobby was the recipient of a donor heart. He was one of the longest surviving heart transplant patients.

Bobby was a lover of horses and horse racing and enjoyed his time spent at the track.

Bobby is survived by his nieces Cynthia Rausch, Allison McNaughton, and Amber Weaver. He is also survived by his great nephews Sean and Timothy Rausch and Mark Robert McNaughton. He also leaves behind his beloved cat Sandy, his former wife Helen McGarry and many lifelong friends.  He had great respect and admiration for Dr. Gilbert Mudge, who performed his heart transplant and Dr. Elof Eriksson who treated him for many years.

He was a friend of Bill W for over 30 years.

He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Calling hours will be at E.P. Caggiano & Son Funeral Home in Winthrop on Thursday September l0 at 11am followed by a funeral service at Noon. Burial with immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations, in memory of Robert, to be made to Dr. Elof Eriksson’s Wound Healing Research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Donations can be made online at bwhgiving.org - click the Donate button and specify the designation to Dr. Elof Eriksson or Checks can be made out to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and sent to: BWH Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02116 to the attention of Susan Andrews.  Please list Dr. Eriksson’s name in the memo line.

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