Captain John J. Gargan Sr.

Captain John J. Gargan Sr., age 86, of Blairsville, Georgia,  passed away Saturday, November 6, 2010 in Union General Hospital in Blairsville, following an extended illness.

Mr. Gargan was born on May 14, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, a son of the late William and Nora Gargan. He had moved to Blairsville in 1988 from Islamorada, Florida, after retiring from his charter boat business. John was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Whitelaw Gargan, in 2002. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived to hunt and fish.

Mr. Gargan was a World War II veteren of the US Coast Guard in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS CENTAURUS AKA17. In March 2010 he was presented with a citation of recognition and appreciation for his service and made a honorary member of the Coastguard Academy Class of 1962.

Surviving family members include his son and daughter-in-law, John and Jackie Gargan Jr. of Islamorada, FL; daughter and son-in-law Carol Ann and David Tanner of Blairsville, GA; brother, William Gargan of Spruce Head, ME; grandchildren and spouses, Rick and Kammie Gargan of Tallahassee, FL; Kelly Gargan of Islamorada, FL; Joe and Christina Gargan of Coral Gables, FL; Lori and Manny Jimenez of Fort Lauderdale, FL; great- grandchildren, Derick and Ciara Gargan and Zane and Taylor Jimenez; and many other friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 with Father John Conway and Deacon John Mason of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Blue Ridge officiating. The family will receive friends Monday, November 9, 2010 from 6 until 8 p.m. Interment will be held in Union Memory Gardens Cemetery with full military honors provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville.  Please visit our website at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com, where you can send condolences to the family.