John leaves behind his wife, Theresa (nee Coleman) of 64 years with whom he shared a full and happy life. He was loved deeply by his daughters, Ann Brennan (Joseph), Mary Fette (Gerald), Patricia McDermott and Kathleen Freeburn (Kevin), and his son, Michael McDermott (Fausta). Affectionately referred to as Pop since he became a grandfather in 1981, John is survived by his 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. John is predeceased by his granddaughter, Stephanie, and his grandson, Anthony.
Born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1932 to John and Kathleen McDermott (nee Killilea), John was raised in the Bronx as the oldest of three children, including Mary and Bridget. The Bronx remained his home where he and Theresa raised their children and made a home on Katonah Avenue. More recently, John was a resident of Suffern, New York.
John served as Second Class Petty Officer on a Destroyer Tender, USS Arcadia AD-23 from 1952 to 1955. After serving in the Navy, John had the opportunity to hone his skills as a draftsman and had a successful career designing critical parts of the space shuttle. John excelled at AutoCad and taught for many years after retirement.
John’s greatest success was his family. He adored his wife, Theresa, and was a role model for living life to the fullest. Most of all, he reveled in his role as grandfather, taking his grandchildren and great grandchildren for ice cream or to the park for a ride on the swing. John will be missed by many but will live on in his family and their special memories.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in his name to Operation Smile, American Heart Association or United Hospice of Rockland. A viewing will be held on May 14, 2019 from 4:00 to 8:00PM at Wanamaker and Carlough, 177 Route 59, Suffern, NY. Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 10:00AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 47 Island Road, Mahwah, NJ with burial following at Maryrest Cemetery, 700 Darlington Road, Mahwah, NJ.
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