John J. Harty, 73, of Lakeview Road, Essex, and formerly of Lynn and  Yarmouth, died Saturday, June 15, 2013 in the Soldiers Home, Chelsea after his long illness. He was the husband of Patricia M. Horgan-Harty.

Born in Boston August 11, 1939 son of the late John F. and Helen (Finn) Harty, he was raised in Somerville, a graduate of St. Clements Parochial School Class of 1957. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving for two years aboard the USS Pocono in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Discharged in 1960 he entered the Massachusetts Military Academy in Boston and then served two years as a 2^nd Lt with the National Guard at Camp Curtis Guild in Wakefield. Completing his Guard service he joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve where he served for the next twenty-seven years, retiring as a Lt. Commander. During these years of service he studied at Suffolk University where he received a Bachelor’s degree and Bridgewater State University where he received a Master’s degree. Retired from the military he went on to teach history and social studies in Weymouth Middle School, Yarmouth Dennis Regional High School, served as Assistant Commandant of Cadets at State University of New York Maritime College, From 1993 to 2001 he was Chief of Police in Middlesex County supervising security in the Middlesex courthouses and was Chief of Special Police for Naratone Security of Boston.

His interests included the special time he shared with his grandchildren, reading history and dealing and collecting military and nautical artifacts.

John was a member of the St. John the Baptist Church in Essex and Ipswich V.F.W. Post #1093.

In addition to his wife Patricia of three years he is survived by a son, John Nathan Harty of Mashpee; a daughter, Pamela Harty and her husband Tom Sexton of Hingham; stepdaughter, Shannon Crompton and her husband Jeffrey of Essex; six grandchildren, Helen and  Emmet Sexton both of Hingham, Ryan, Jack, Aaron and Katherine Crompton all of Essex; a brother, Paul Harty and his wife Paula of Peabody; three sisters, Mary Buckley and her husband James of Hull, Kathleen Harty of Medford and  Claire Diminico  of Winchester; one niece; one nephew.

 His funeral will be held 9 am  Friday, June 21, from the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High St., Ipswich, followed by the celebration of a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Main St., Essex. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours will be Thursday, June 20, 4 to 8 pm with a  V.F.W. service at 7 pm. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Spring Street, Cemetery, Essex. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Family Council, Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02130.