On April 30, beloved former mathematics teacher Michael McGarry died from complications caused by ALS.
In 2023, McGarry had to retire due to the worsening conditions of his ailment. McGarry taught at Riordan from 2021 to 2023, and in the short time he was here, he made a lasting impression on both his students and his co-workers.
“Mike was a genuinely positive person. No matter what he was going through, he had a smile on his face. He had this really infectious laugh that I’m sure all the teachers remember,” English teacher Kevin Estrada ’00 said.
McGarry was the definition of a learner. Between his two degrees at Harvard, and teaching at four different high schools in his career, he was constantly looking to learn. He was a kind, understanding teacher who always found his way into the hearts of students.
“I really appreciated Mr. McGarry, because of the situation he was in, just how outgoing and how happy he was with his life. Even after he left he would come to visit us,” Marco Romero ’25 said.
In addition to him being a teacher in an academic setting, McGarry also ran the East Bay Hearing Collective—a meditation center in Berkeley. He also ran his own dharma talk podcast called The Heart of Light Podcast, which he continued to run during his battle with ALS. With over 11,000 downloads, McGarry’s words had an impact on many.
McGarry was a hard fighting soul who cared very deeply for each and every person around him.
The Riordan community will miss McGarry’s infectiously kind heart, his thirst for knowledge, and the companionship that he offered. Even though he was only here for a short time, the impact that he made will last forever. Riordan mathematics teacher
Mary Ann Datoc said, “After supporting Mike McGarry during the time he was at Riordan, my message for those who experienced the same illness is to live life to the fullest and have a beautiful mind and heart like Mike.”
This story was originally published on The Crusader on May 17, 2025.
