Richard J. Gogarty Jr.

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Richard Joseph Gogarty (1SG), age 67, of East Rockaway, NY, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024. Born on November 13, 1956, in Oceanside, NY, Rich joined the United States Army at the age of 17, serving our country for 20 years. After retiring from the Army, he was one of the founding instructors for the JROTC program at Francis Lewis High School. After positively influencing and changing the lives of thousands of students for 22 years, 1SG retired once again, but this time for good in Pennsylvania.

Rich and his wife, Donna, lived in PA in their dream house, with grandchildren running around during the day and quiet nights. Although retired from both the Army and from teaching JROTC, he never stopped mentoring and just being there for ALL his students as if they were his own kids. Even with all this on his hands, he still gave the most of himself to his wife and three boys, always showing up at all the sporting events and setting a good example for them. No matter what was going on, he would do anything for his family.

Rich was a proud eagle scout, soldier, and teacher. Most of all, Rich was a proud husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. Survived by his wife, Donna Kay Gogarty and three sons, Richard Joseph Gogarty, Brian Kenneth Gogarty and Christopher Charles Gogarty.

Rest in peace, 1SG, you will not be forgotten.

A graveside service will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 16th at Greenfield Cemetery, 650 Nassau Rd, Uniondale, NY. Burial will follow.

Calling hours will be Thursday, March 14th from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9PM and Friday, March 15th from 4 - 8PM at Towers Funeral Home Inc., 2681 Long Beach Rd, Oceanside, NY.

In lieu of flowers, Richard's family requests donations in his memory to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, t2t.org and/or The Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org.