Patrick E Geraghty

A Grand Gator and local legend is gone. Patrick Emmett Geraghty, Sr., legendary “LITIGATOR,” life-long University of Florida fan, and favorite Irish son, passed into a brilliant orange & blue sky on Thursday, April 8, 2021 to be reunited with his beloved son, Pat Geraghty, Jr. (“PG”); his wife Dena; his parents, Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth Geraghty; and his brothers, Barry, Thomas (“Tom”), and Benjamin (“Benji”).
A “native” Floridian, Patrick was raised in Jacksonville, Florida and was an All-State track and football athlete at Bishop Kenny High School (Class of 1957). Patrick continued his football prowess at Marquette University as a distinguished leader of Marquette’s last football team, which has been “undefeated” ever since. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1968, where he was a member of the Florida Law Review. Following completion of his legal studies in Gainesville, Pat and Dena made their home in Ft. Myers in 1969 where he joined Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. as the only associate and later led the litigation department for years. After 20 plus years at Henderson, Franklin, he established his own, highly successful law firm, last known as Geraghty, Dougherty, Edwards & Stockman, P.A.
Patrick’s favorite pastime was holding court and entertaining legions with his legendary stories and encyclopedic knowledge of national, Florida and Ft. Myers history. A local “Atticus Finch,” he dedicated his brilliant legal acumen and unmatched trial skills to local leaders, politicians, and those most in need. He was an extremely accomplished and proud member of the Florida Bar for 52 years and was Board Certified in Civil Trial. Patrick was a leading expert in plaintiff’s litigation, civil litigation, and criminal and insurance defense, handling many high-profile criminal cases in his early career. He was the epitome of a “counselor of the law”, mentoring legions of young lawyers in Southwest Florida and serving as a Master in the Calusa Inn of Court and a longstanding member of the Lee County Bar Association. Through his distinguished service and unparalleled trial practice, Patrick was recognized as a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.
Patrick was best known for his unmatched brilliance, photographic memory, and irreverent sense of humor. He always surrounded himself with a colorful cast of characters, dedicated his free time to his love of the Gators and Jimmy Buffet music, and was a forever sports fan. Patrick served his community as a Commissioner of the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, Chairman and Chairman Pro tem of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission and Chairman of the Coastal Advisory Commission. Patrick also gave back to his beloved University of Florida, serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for the UF College of Law. Although he loved the practice of law and being a “lawyer’s lawyer,” Patrick’s greatest love was family. He imbued his family with his love of Irish heritage, holiday traditions and the foundations of family history.
Patrick’s passing is a tremendous loss of a family, legal and community icon, but his legacy lives on in the lives of those he touched. He is survived by his daughters Kelley, Erin and Kirby; sons-in-law, Scott Price, Bobby Bray and Douglas Oberdorfer; grandchildren, Connor and Delaney Price, Darby Bray, and Ben and Hannah Oberdorfer; his sister Mary Elizabeth Bentley; and his fiancé Nanci DuBois.
Please join us to celebrate Patrick’s extraordinary life at a memorial mass and reception on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Cypress Lake Drive at 3:00 PM. A visitation will be held at Harvey-Engelhardt Funeral Home on Monday, April 12th from 4:00-7:00 PM. Patrick’s indelible mark on his family, friends and the practice of law will forever remain.
We are certain that as Patrick passed through the gates of Heaven the Gator Fight song was playing, followed by “Irish Eyes are Smiling.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Patrick E. Geraghty, Sr. to the Community Cooperative, 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Ft. Myers, Florida 33916 or communitycooperative.com.

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