WANTAGE - Garrett (Garry) LaFranco, 58, of Wantage, passed away on July 20. Before his passing, he composed the following obituary:
This obituary is for the luckiest man in the world.
Lucky to have had an unbelievably strong, loving, and forgiving mother who taught me much more than she ever realized. Mom, when I knock on Heaven's door I hope that you are the one who opens it.
Lucky to have had a stepfather, I have never really referred to him as stepfather before and it feels peculiar, who treated me as his own and who taught me through example that there is nothing that I cannot do. Dad, I can't thank you enough, I love you.
Lucky to have had a sister and brothers who were there for each other on those occasions when we needed help. I'm sorry that I won't be around any more to pull my weight.
Lucky to have married the most amazing woman I ever met, Terri. My life immeasurably changed the day I met her. I went from a young man with no direction to one who wanted nothing more in life than to spend the rest of his days loving her. Terri, it has been wonderful beyond words. I regret that I can not live out the rest of your life with you and I hope that you find someone who can.
Lucky to have been a father to two amazing children. Amanda, my fiery little redhead, whose strength and determination have always far exceeded her physical stature, a trait that I have always been very proud of. I admire her sophisticated sense of humor and work ethic. Amanda, that screenplay is inside you, don't get so caught up in the banality of everyday life that you never put it on paper. Alexander, who is too much like me when I was a young man, I look upon him with the prideful eyes of a father. Compassion is a trait that I saw in him at a very early age and it is an admirable trait indeed. He is deceptively empathetic with a keen insight into the feelings of others. Alexander, use these gifts that you have to help those around you. (Amanda, your brother will dance with you on your wedding day and I will be there to make sure he doesn't step on your toes.)
Lucky to have befriended so many wonderful people that I have met through my small camera store here in Sussex County. The kindness and love that you have shown me throughout this illness has been a source of strength, it would have been hard to fight as long as I have without that, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Lucky to have been touched by the grace of God. Lord, I am sure that I am not worthy of the kindness that you have bestowed upon me, but I am truly grateful and humbled by it.
- Garrett LaFranco

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity. A memorial commemoration will be held Sunday, Aug. 20, at Andre's Lakeside Dining, Sparta. A time will be set at a later date.
Published in The New Jersey Herald on July 30, 2017