Obituary for Brother Michael Garraghan, O. Carm.
Obituary
Brother Michael Garraghan, O. Carm.
Born in Brooklyn, New York on April 2, 1927
Professed First Vows in the Order of Carmelites, on July 16, 1952
Professed Solemn Vows on September 8, 1956
Died on February 18, 2023
Brother Michael Garraghan, O.Carm, a member of the Order of Carmelites of the North
American Province of St. Elias, died in Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, New York, on
Saturday, February 18, 2023 after an extended illness. He was 95 years old.
Kevin Patrick Garraghan was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 2, 1927 to John and Agnes Roddy
Garraghan. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother John Joseph Garraghan, and his sister, Kitty
Sherman.
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corp, he entered the Carmelites at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Novitiate in Auburn, New York, where he received his habit in the Order of Carmelites, North American
Province of Saint Elias and received the religious name of Brother Michael. He professed simple vows
on July 16, 1952 and solemn vows on September 8, 1956 at Our Lady of the Scapular Church on 28 th
Street in New York, New York.
Following his solemn profession, Brother Michael continued to serve the Auburn Community
from 1956-1965 and worked at Mount Carmel High School there. He was then assigned to the
Community of Our Lady of the Scapular in New York City where he served until 1973. He relocated to
St. Albert’s in Middletown, NY from 1973-1978, the Provincial House in Maspeth, NY from 1978-
1982, and St. Thomas Aquinas in Brooklyn, NY from 1982-2001.
Brother Michael was a man of humble origin, and he stayed humble and simple all his life. A
deeply prayerful man, he lived the Carmelite charism of service to the Province, his Carmelite brothers
and to all he came in contact with. A hard-working man, Brother Michael dedicated his life, time and
talent as a “go-to”, “fix-all” Maintenance Handyman. He spent tireless hours maintaining the buildings
and grounds of each Community he resided in. His ministerial involvements include starting the
Brotherhood of Catholic Laymen in the 1970's and the Sisterhood in the 1990's. He was deeply devoted
to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the daily recitation of the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
In 2001, Brother. Michael returned to Our Lady of the Scapular-St. Stephen’s in New York City,
residing there until 2007 and assisting in the parish. He then moved to the Carmelite retirement
community at St. Albert’s Priory in Middletown, NY where he resided until his death. During the years
that he lived at St. Albert’s, Brother Michael assisted with Prayer Ministry at the National Shrine of Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel and was a valued member of the Carmelite community.
A dedicated, faithful and hard-working Carmelite, Brother Michael Garraghan, O.Carm. was
a professed member of the Carmelite Order for 70 years. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation
Friday, March 3, 2023
9 AM – 11 AM
The Rosary will be prayed at 10 AM
in the Shrine Chapel.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
70 Carmelite Drive
Middletown, New York 10940-0890
(845) 343-1879
http://www.ourladyofmtcarmelshrine.com/Shrineinfo.htm
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, March 3, 2023
11:00AM
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
70 Carmelite Drive
Middletown, New York 10940-0890
Interment
Carmelite Cemetery, Middletown, New York
In lieu of flowers, donations in Brother Michael Garraghan’s memory may be made to the
Carmelite Education Fund, and mailed to:
P.O. Box 868, Carmelite Drive, Middletown, New York 10940.
Arrangements are under the direction of:
Applebee McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Avenue
Middletown, New York, 10940
(845) 343-6309
To plant a tree in memory of Brother Michael Garraghan, O. Carm., visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
3
Mar
9:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
70 Carmelite Drive
Middletown, NY 10940
Service
Friday
3
Mar
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
70 Carmelite Drive
Middletown, NY 10940
Graveside
Friday
3
Mar
12:00 PM
- 12:30 PM
Carmelite Cemetery
Carmelite Drive
Middletown, NY 10940
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