Charles Geraty Obituary

Charles C. Geraty, Jr. CHARLESTON - Charles C. Geraty, Jr. died peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Geraty, Jr. are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, Monday, June 23, 2014, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening between 6:00 and 7:30 PM at the residence, 58 Gibbes St. His guestbook may be signed at www.JamesAMcAlister.com Charles Geraty was born on January 1, 1924, in Charleston, SC, a son of Charles Cooper Geraty, Sr. and Janice Harrison Geraty. In 1946, he married Peggy Kelly Geraty, the love of his life for almost 68 years. He spent his childhood years among his large extended family as a "country boy" on Yonges Island, SC, attending school in St. Paul's Parish and then at Belmont Abbey in North Carolina. While in college at The Citadel, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the North African and Western Europe campaigns. He landed at Normandy and carried his unit's American flag in the Paris victory parade. A proud World War II veteran, he returned home to Charleston and attended classes at the College of Charleston, where he met his wife. They began a family, living at Wide-A-Wake in Hollywood, SC and working in his family's farming business. He later became an industrial sales representative and enjoyed a long retirement in the city of his birth. Charlie Geraty had a great sense of humor and a "joie de vivre" that lasted 90+ years. He was a man with an inquisitive mind, always asking questions and eager to interact with both friends and strangers. A voracious reader, he enjoyed bridge and poker. He loved to tease and brought smiles to both adults and children. Most importantly, he loved his family and left a remarkable legacy of devotion to each of them. In addition to his wife Peggy, he is survived by two children, Meg G. Howle (Buddy) of Sullivan's Island, SC and C. Cooper Geraty (Anne) of Charlottesville VA; grandchildren Joshua C. Miles, Kelly M. Geraty, Lauren F. Howle and Charles B. Howle, Jr.; four great grandchildren; sister Patricia Geraty McBurney (Bob); niece Patricia McBurney, MD; and nephew Robert M. McBurney, Jr. The family wishes to express its deep appreciation for the exceptional devotion of Delores Wright and the loving care of Dottie Todd, Felicia Brown, Carlen Massey, Pat Gabe and Sharlene Beckett, as well as to Hospice of Charleston for their expert and compassionate services. Memorial donations may be made to the Trident Technical College Foundation, PO Box 61227, Charleston, SC 29419. Please notate Charles Geraty on memo line. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston