Patrick James McDermott

Patrick Joseph McDermott of Murrieta, California, age 87, died June 25, 2017. He was born in London, England on St. Patrick's Day into a large Irish Catholic family. He was educated in England and was a Rugby Star at his school. He was commissioned a St. Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and commanded a platoon at the young age of nineteen. Patrick immigrated to California in 1957 following his sister, Thora, who was a war bride. He worked at Kaiser Steel in Fontana as an engineer, upon arrival in the United States. He met his wife Betty there. They have been married 59 years. Before moving to Murrieta in 1987. He lived in Rialto, California for twenty-seven years and was very active in the San Bernardino/Rialto communities holding many civic leadership positions.

Patrick worked at various engineering/construction jobs before entering law school. He graduated at age 50 as valedictorian of his class and passed the bar exam on his first attempt. After a short stint in private practice in Rialto, he took a position as general counsel with the Kasler Corporation in San Bernardino and retired from there at age 65. He is survived by his wife, Betty; son, Rylan McDermott and three adored grandchildren, Kelly Christine, Kathryn Elizabeth and Patrick Rylan McDermott as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral mass will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 5th at St. Catherines