Thomas Earl “Tom” GARRITY, Jr.

1950 - 2012  (62 years)

• Name	Thomas Earl “Tom” GARRITY  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
  Suffix	Jr.
  Birth	1950	Manchester, Connecticut
  Gender	Male
  HIST	of Wedgefield, South Carolina how are Kristy Cockerill (Eddie) and Julie Weatherly (Brian) his step-daughters? and also a stepson- Teddy Spencer Jr. jkh I hope that this is Thomas E. Garrity. If it isn’t then the following article does not belong to him. jkh G&G Metal Fabrication head recognized for growth, determination Nick McCormac / The Item G&G Metal Fabrication head recognized for growth, determination Lee Holloway, vice president of Citizens Bank in Sumter, presents Thomas Garrity with the Business Person of the Year award Saturday at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's annual retreat. Garrity, the founder of G&G Metal Fabrication Inc., has grown the company from four employees when it opened in 1984 to 20 employees currently, grossing $3.7 million in 2010. The company provides fire trucks and other equipment to fire stations in Sumter and across North America. BY NICK McCORMAC nmccormac@theitem.com HILTON HEAD ISLAND - In the 28 years since Thomas E. Garrity opened G&G Metal Fabrication Inc., the then four-person operation has grown to hire nearly five times as many employees and gross millions of dollars, while helping to supply firefighters across the country with necessary equipment. For his commitment to growing business through good times and bad, Garrity was recognized Saturday as Business Person of the Year at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's annual retreat. The facility opened in 1984 and specialized in creating tools and apparatuses, primarily fire trucks, for fire stations in South Carolina and across the country. With only four employees on hand, the facility grossed $200,000 during its first year. A fire equipment services division was added in 1991, and since then the facility has expanded to 35,000 square feet, 20 employees and $3.7 million in revenue in 2010. In addition to supplying fire stations with necessities, Garrity has served as a fireman at the Wedgefield station since 1991, and has been a captain since 1997. For years, he has sponsored the Firefighters Barbeque Challenge, which benefits the Red Cross. In 2006, the business received the South Carolina Palmetto Workforce Award and has been recognized as Sumter County's Small Manufacturer of the Year from 2003-2005, 2007, 2010 and 2011. In 2009 and 2011, it received the South Carolina Silver Crescent Award for Manufacturing. "I'm absolutely shocked," said Garrity following the ceremony. "I'm just very fortunate and thankful that I can give people an opportunity to work and supply emergency personnel with what they need." Garrity said he's paid close attention to the market and what was needed, which has helped him adapt during times of economic triumph and trepidation. He's said he's always taken pride in providing fire fighters with the tools they need. As for the future, Garrity said he's keeping his hopes up. "We're always looking toward the future," he said. "Maybe we'll export, maybe we'll keep everything in the states. We're just looking forward to growing more, and we're blessed that we can." ---- The following individuals and businesses were also recognized at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's annual retreat this weekend: - Jay Schwedler and the staff of the Sumter Development Board were recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award for their work securing the new Continental Tire the Americas manufacturing facility in Sumter County. - Wallie Jones, the former coach of the Sumter P-15's, also received the Outstanding Achievement Award for his 25 years coaching the team. - Staff Sgt. Amanda M. Payne, a medical technician with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, was named the Military Citizen of the Year. - Metokote, EMS-Chemie and Eaton were each awarded the small, medium and large Manufacturer of the Year awards, respectively. - First Citizens Bank received the Sumter Green award. - Kingsbury Elementary School teacher Laura Lyles was awarded the Sumter School District Teacher of the Year award. - The Sumter Career Readiness Center Teacher of the Year award went to Michael Lear, an instructor at the center. Posted in Local news, News on Sunday, February 5, 2012 Local businessman remembered as big-hearted, generous Lee Holloway, vice president of Citizens Bank in Sumter, presents Thomas Garrity, right, with the Business Person of the Year award in February at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's annual retreat. Garrity, the founder of G&G Metal Fabrication Inc., died Friday at Tuomey Regional Medical Center after an illness. Robert J. Baker bbaker@theitem.com Tiffany Garrity Davis will remember her father, Tom Garrity, as the "most kind-hearted person." "He had the biggest heart of anyone you'd ever meet," she said. "He never knew a stranger." Thomas Earl Garrity Jr., founder and president of G&G Metal Fabrications Inc. and Fire Equipment Services, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center after an illness. Born in Manchester, Conn., Garrity founded his company as Santee Metal Fabrication Inc. in 1984 with just one employee, his daughter said Saturday. Garrity specialized in creating tools and apparatuses, primarily fire trucks, for fire stations in South Carolina and across the county. He grossed $200,000 during its first year and added a fire equipment services division in 1991, growing the facility in the 20 years following to 35,000 square feet, 20 employees and $3.7 million in revenue. "He's done a lot for a company that started in a small shop with a dirt floor," Davis said. Sumter Fire Department Capt. Brian Horton said Garrity's work with fire trucks came about from his own volunteer service. Garrity began with the fire department as a volunteer in 1990 and was promoted to captain in 1997. He retired this year after serving with Wedgefield Station No. 7. "We had a problem with trucks needing a part," said Horton, who serves as captain over training with the fire department. "(Companies) wouldn't sell the part to Tom, so he got mad at that and said he'd start his own business and get the parts himself. That's how he came to work on the engines. He was an integral part of the fire department with that work and with his work at the station, along with training people for a number of years." For years, he sponsored the Firefighters Barbeque Challenge, which benefits the Red Cross. "He was just a really nice guy, a good person to be around," said Horton. Garrity was also prominent in the local business community, receiving the South Carolina Palmetto Workforce Award in 2006 and being named Sumter County's Small Manufacturer of the Year for 2003-05, 2007, 2010 and 2011. In 2009 and 2011, his business received the South Carolina Silver Crescent Award for Manufacturing. He was also named the county's 2011 Business Person of the Year by the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce earlier this year. "I'm absolutely shocked," said Garrity following the ceremony. "I'm just very fortunate and thankful that I can give people an opportunity to work and supply emergency personnel with what they need." Garrity told The Item in February 2011 that he always strived to pay close attention to the market and what was needed. He said he's always taken the most pride in providing firefighters with the tools they need. Davis said her father always kept that humble spirit in his business life. "He'd do anything for anybody," she said. "He was such a proud father and grandfather, and he was a proud businessman. His life was fire trucks." Survivors include his wife of nine years, Laurine Hutson Garrity; a son, Dr. Timothy E. Garrity and his wife, Holly; Davis and her husband, Colin; two step-daughters, Kristy Cockerill and her husband, Eddie, and Julie Weatherly and her husband, Brian; a stepson, Teddy Spencer Jr.; a brother; a sister; and nine-and-a-half grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Alice Drive Baptist Church with Chaplain Gene Ball officiating. Burial will follow in the Wedgefield Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home and at other times at the home. - Robert J. Baker Posted in Local news, News on Sunday, November 25, 2012 Thomas E. Garrity Jr. WEDGEFIELD — Thomas “Tom” Earl Garrity Jr., age 62, beloved husband of nine years to Laurine Hutson Garrity, passed away on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Manchester, Conn., Mr. Garrity was the son of the late Thomas Earl Garrity Sr. and Theresa Olive Lavoie Garrity. He was the president and founder of G&G Metal Fabrication / Fire Equipment Services and was a retired captain with the Wedgefield Fire Department. He was the past president of the Sumter Industrial Association and served on the Sumter County Career Center Board and the Central Carolina Technical College Advisory Board. He was a member of the Sumter Development Board, the Small Business Development Board and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association. He was also the 2011 recipient of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. Tom was a respected employer and businessman in the Sumter community and to all who knew him. Going beyond being the average race car enthusiast, Tom spent many years involved in design and fabrication of stock cars throughout the southeastern United States. Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Dr. Timothy E. Garrity and his wife, Holly; a daughter, Tiffany Garrity Davis and her husband, Colin; two step-daughters, Kristy Cockerill and her husband, Eddie, and Julie Weatherly and her husband, Brian; a step-son, Teddy Spencer Jr.; nine-and-a-half grandchildren, Mary Katherine, Maggie, Timothy, Madelynn, Hunter, Walker, Keelan, Brynley and Brady, all of Sumter; a brother, Ted Garrity and his wife, Tracy, of Enfield, Conn.; a sister, Terri Boucher of Ponte Vedra, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sara Anne Garrity. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Alice Drive Baptist Church with Chaplain Gene Ball officiating. Burial will follow in the Wedgefield Baptist Church cemetery. Employees of G&G Metal/Fire Equipment Services and the Sumter Fire Department will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will be receiving friends from 5-8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, 1155 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150; or to the Multiple System Atrophy Research Fund, 8311 Brier Creek Parkway, Suite 105-434, Raleigh, NC 27617. You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements. Posted in Obituaries on Sunday, November 25, 2012  [1, 3, 4, 5, 9]
  Occupation	Founder and president of G&G Metal Fabrications Inc., and Fire Equipment Services  [4]
  _UID	640FA641AEA545FA9EF50D66497CBD65D9A3
  Death	23 Nov 2012	Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina
  Burial	26 Nov 2012	Wedgefield Baptist Church Cemetery, Wedgefield, Sumter County, South Carolina   [4]
  	Bullock FUneral Home, Sumter, South Carolina
  Person ID	I93773	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	16 Feb 2014

  
  

  Father	Thomas Earl GARRITY, Sr.   d. Bef 23 Nov 2012
  Mother	Theresa Olive LAVOIE   d. Bef 23 Nov 2012
  _UID	9A5D61EBCFBB48CCBC9E73219A473FD5C422
  _UID	9A5D61EBCFBB48CCBC9E73219A473FD5C422
  Family ID	F65023	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Lynn CARLISLE
  _UID	9B6CE416763E436B871597B54646F1A8707F
  _UID	9B6CE416763E436B871597B54646F1A8707F
  Children	1. Tiffany Lynn GARRITY   2. Dr. Timothy Edward GARRITY, III
  Family ID	F65018	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	23 Mar 2026

  
  

  Family 2	Laurine E. HUTSON
  Marriage	2003  [5]
  _UID	E8FBC690040F46409F3A6137660B5AC0CE3E
  _UID	E8FBC690040F46409F3A6137660B5AC0CE3E
  Family ID	F137772	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	30 Nov 2012

  
  

• Sources

  [S2116] Garrity-Davis. [S8632] Bullock Funeral Home is pleased to announce Tiffany Garrity Davis. [S12553] New Arrival. [S18907] Thomas E. Garrity * 1950-2012 - Local businessman remembered as big-hearted, generous. [S18908] Thomas E. Garrity Jr. [S19728] New Arrival - Millie Garrity Davis. [S15930] Henry F. Hutson. [S20198] G&G’s new owner sees growth in fabrication company’s future. [S17478] Garrity named Business Person of the Year.