Dennis Christopher McCarry passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Sunday, August 8, 2021. He was met by his wife (Ellen), Sons (Hugh, Joseph, and Brian), Parents, Brothers (Owen, Tim, and Peter), and Sisters (Mary and Susan).

Dennis was born to Hugh and Mary McCarry in Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal, Ireland. He was the youngest of six children.  He had three brothers and two sisters: Owen, Tim, Mary, Susan, and Peter.

Dennis attended Manchester University in England, where he studied both engineering and cost accounting. At age 21 Dennis and his brother Peter started their greatest adventure and moved from their beloved Ireland to Canada. His first employment was on mining projects in Canada. He moved to the US in 1953 and completed 2 years of service in the U.S army as a field engineer.

Dennis's 41 years of work in tunneling encompassed a wide range of technical challenges and successful projects. He gained an industry-wide reputation as a competent technician, effective manager, and respected leader. He was a Project Manager for many major tunnel projects including have supervised construction of the world's largest diameter soft ground tunnel, Mt. Baker Ridge Tunnel in Seattle.  Dennis retired as Vice President, Underground Construction for Guy F. Atkinson Construction Company in 1989. He continued his career as a consultant and worked in the U.S., Denmark, New Zealand, and Turkey. He was awarded the Supervision Management Award from the Beavers (A heavy engineering construction association) in 1987 and was a member of the Moles, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and International Tunneling Association.

Dennis met the love of his life in San Francisco at an Irish Dance Hall. His wife, Ellen also immigrated from Co. Donegal, Ireland. They were married in 1958 in San Francisco. Their journey took them to Northern and Southern California, New York, and Washington State.  They were blessed with seven children (Hugh, Dennis, Joseph, Brian, Mary, John, and Kathleen).  One of Dennis's happiest memories is a cross country trip from New York to California, all eight of them in the family station wagon, including the family dog. In 1979, Dennis transferred as Project Manager for the Pacheco Pass Tunnel and settled the family in Gilroy. He lived there until his passing. He was very proud of this family and talked to them daily. He hosted family meals and holidays. Even though the family lived in many different locations, the McCarry's were always San Francisco fans. You would find Dennis and his sons at Candlestick watching the 49er and Giants games. He also was a Norte Dame Fighting Irish fan.

Dennis was a man of great faith and conviction who loved God with his entire being. He was a devout Catholic. He was an active member of St. Mary Parish. He was a member of the Carmelite order and the Knights of Columbus. A highlight of his life was his pilgrimage to Medjugorje .  Dennis also loved the fact that his family took up the entire pew at church and it was a memory he always cherished.

Dennis lived a full and rich life, filled with the love of many family and friends. He touched the lives of so many but will especially be missed by, his children, their spouses: Dennis, Sheri , Mary (Mike), John (Karen) and Kathleen (John). He was a beloved Grandfather to eight grandchildren, Joey (Libby), Maddie, Denny (Christina), Cailin, Sierra, Clare, Owen, and Chet.

His family cannot begin to express their love for their beloved father and grandfather. Dennis was an inspiration and will be missed by his family and his many friends. He left this world better than he joined it.  He is now and always will be with us.

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, your loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So he put His arms around you
And whispered "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched you
As you slowly slipped away
And though we loved you dearly
We couldn't make you stay.

Your golden heart stopped beating
Your tired hands put to rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.