Biography:

Dr. James Patrick Moriarity was born on a farm near Orillia, Ontario on the 14th of February, 1885.  Dr. Moriarity was the 2nd of 4 children born to John Moriarity and the former Mary Sullivan.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Mary Francis Moriarity, John Sullivan Moriarity and Florence Julia Moriarity.  He attended school in Orillia, including Orillia Collegiate Institute  for high school.  Dr. Moriarity was a gifted athlete and an outstanding lacrosse player. He taught school on Manitoulin Island for 2 years before studying to become a doctor.

Dr. Moriarity attended the University of Western Ontario in London and graduated M.D. in 1912.  He interned at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York for 3 years graduating L.M.C.C. in 1915.

Dr. Moriarity enlisted in World War I and served overseas with the No. 10 Stationary Hospital.  During his 3 years oversea’s he saw active conflict in France.

After serving his country, Dr. Moriarity settled in Chatham, in 1919.  He bought a home located at 189 Wellington St. East. According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Moriarity joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 27th of September, 1919.  He opened a general family practice at 193 King St. West (on the ground floor).  Dr. Moriarity’s medical practice was listed in the 1929 Vernon City of Chatham Directory.  He took a special interest in service men returning from the war, requiring medical treatment. Dr. Moriarity partnered with Dr. Frederick I. Reid for many years. They had been schoolmates growing up in Orillia.

Dr. Moriarity married Claire Antionette Robert in Toronto, Ontario on the 23rd of April 1930.  Her brother, Father Bertrand Robert presided over the Nuptial Mass.  Mrs. Moriarity was a registered nurse. She was born in Chatham on the 12th of August, 1900.  She was the 3rd of 6 children born to Alfred Alexis Robert and the former Delvina ‘Ida’ Beauregard.   Her father was a merchant and she grew up on Wellington Street in Chatham.  Her siblings were Terrance Joseph Robert, Bertrand Francis Robert, Beatrice Louise Robert and twin sisters Mary Angelina Robert and Frances Ursula Robert.

Dr. and Mrs. Moriarity did not have any children.

Dr. Moriarity sat on the Chatham Board of Health and he was the Chairman for 12 years. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church.  In 1934 Dr. Moriarity was President of the Kent County Medical Society.

In 1946 Dr. Moriarity suffered a heart attack. He recovered but he cut back his medical practice considerably.  His office was listed on Third Street in the 1950 Shepherds City of Chatham Business Directory.

In December of 1951, Dr. Moriarity and his wife went to their home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  He died at the Miami Beach Heart Clinic on the evening of March 24th, 1952.  Dr. Moriarity was buried at a cemetery in Fort Lauderdale.

At the time of his death, his primary residence was located at 66 Inshes Ave., in Chatham.  Dr. Moriarity was survived by his wife Claire, his brother John and his sister Florence Waymouth.  Mrs. Moriarity died in 1973.

*Dr. Frederick Irwin Reid also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

**Mrs. Moriarity’s brother Dr. Terrence Joseph Robert, practiced medicine in Windsor, Ontario.

***Mrs. Moriarity’s aunt, Emma Evelyn Robert married Dr. Henry James Sullivan.  Dr. Sullivan also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.