Robert "Benny" Harrity Sr.

Robert M. Harrity Sr. (Benny), 79, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away April 22, 2012 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 26, at St.Patrick Catholic Church 94th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association or the Alzheimer’s Association, in honor of his recently departed wife.

Robert was born September 15, 1932 to William and Grayce (Wylie) Harrity. He was a lifelong Kansas City resident. He graduated from Bishop Ward High School class of 1950 and then from Washburn University with a Bachelors Degree in Social

Work. Robert worked for the State of Kansas Department of Corrections for 35 years, retiring as Director of Parole Placement and Resource Development.

After retiring Robert made his dream trip to Ireland with his wife Shirley. He spent his retirement years playing golf, and was made especially enjoyable by being a Golf Marshall at Painted Hills Golf Course. His free time was spent with his family, reading, listening to political talk radio and enjoying his patio and backyard with a beautiful view of the woods. He was lovingly known to his siblings and many many nieces and nephews as "Bobby". His family is saddened by his sudden death and he will be forever missed.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Shirley (Klements) Harrity, his parents, William and Grayce Harrity, as well as two brothers, Fred “Buddy” and Harry Harrity. He is survived by his children, James Harrity, Steven (Lori) Harrity, Robert Harrity, Jr., Kathleen Harrity, Elaine (Greg) Miller, and Janet (Rich) Dupuis. 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, sister Leona Thomsen, sister Sara Deatherage, brother Joe Harrity (Donna), sister Mary

Lynch (John), brother Mike Harrity (Angel), sister Rita DeGruson (Walt), sister-in-law Patricia Cartwright (Gary), and a "Horde" of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.