Peter Thomas McGarry, 40, of Winnetka, a former marketing manager and consultant for several Chicago-based firms, died of cancer Saturday, Jan. 4, in the Palliative Care Center & Hospice of the North Shore in Evanston. Mr. McGarry was known for his wit and sense of humor and responded with both after being diagnosed with melanoma about two years ago, said his brother John. He began sending amusing e-mails about his treatment at first to close friends and relatives and later hundreds of people, including fellow cancer victims and his physicians. “He called it his melanomail,” said his brother. “Several friends said they loved to forward his e-mail to other people because the letters were filled with such humor and courage.” Mr. McGarry also was an avid reader and was able to remember in detail much of what he read, said his brother. “You didn’t want to get into any kind of argument or discussion with him about some fact because you knew you weren’t going to win,” his brother said. After graduating in 1985 from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, Mr. McGarry worked for several years in its admissions office before becoming an account executive with the Chicago advertising firm, Ogilvy & Mather. In 1990, he left to form his own marketing consulting firm, but three years later was hired by Andersen Consulting as a senior marketing specialist. In 1996, he returned to being a self-employed marketing consultant for a few years before joining Everen Securities as a senior marketing manager. In 1999, Mr. McGarry left the firm to become a freelance technical and promotional writer and wrote several unpublished comedy screenplays. Besides his brother, survivors include his mother and father, Anne and Kevin; another brother, Kevin; and two sisters, Elizabeth and Anne. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m., Wednesday in Sts. Faith, Hope & Charity Church, 191 Linden St., Winnetka.
