Joseph Thomas Geraghty, Jr.

Joseph Thomas Geraghty, Jr., of Rockford, went to be with his Savior on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at St. Anthony’s Hospital. He was 94. Joe was born February 27, 1920 in Saginaw, MI to Joseph T. Geraghty, Sr. and Evelyn P. Heath- Geraghty. He married Rosemary Claire Handel-Geraghty in 1950 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1938. He attended the University of Chicago, and the University of Iowa. He joined the Naval Air Corp in 1942. During his 4 years in the Navy, he was stationed in Pensacola, FL as Ensign, flew torpedo bombers in the North Atlantic looking for German subs, and flew off of a carrier in the Pacific during WWII. One of his accomplishments during his 10 years in the Reserves at Glenville, IL, was to be the first person to fly a jet out of the station. Joe had a passion for aviation. In addition to flying in the Navy, he owned his own planes, and dealt with the military bringing in aircraft to the Midwest Airfest. He always had great aviation stories to share. Joe started and owned several businesses throughout his career including: War Assets Disposal, a car wash (1947), Midway Sales (1950-1976), 5 parking lots, Geraghty Industrial Equipment (1956-1988), Heath Handling, Geraghty Modular Robotics, and Geraghty and Associates. Joe was a member of St. Bridget’s and then Holy Family Parish. He was also a member of numerous charitable organizations including the Red Cross (Board), Midwest Airfest (Military Chairman), Boylan Development, Holy Family (Finance Committee), Cosmopolitan, and United Way. Other organizations he belonged to are Rockford Country Club, University Club of Rockford, Dealer Council for Clark Equipment Company, and Material Handling Equipment Dealer Association. Joe is survived by son Joseph (Jeanette) T. Geraghty III; grandson Todd (Heather) Geraghty; granddaughter Tina Geraghty; great grandchildren Molly and Wyatt Geraghty; sisters-in-law Janet Campbell, Ann Geraghty, and Phyllis Geraghty; numerous nieces and nephews. Joe is predeceased by his wife, Rosemary, his parents, brothers Bob and Jerry. The Geraghty family would like to extend a special thank you to Joe’s care giver, Victoria Ciceri. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Anne’s Center of Rockford, Holy Family Catholic Church, and the Cathedral of St. Peter’s School. Visitation will be Friday, November 28, 2014, from 4-7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, with a Rosary Service at 6:45 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, November 29, 2014, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford, IL, 61103, at 10:30 a.m. with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of prayer at 10:15 a.m. Funeral arrangements are being cared for by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103. To express an online condolence, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com