(February 2, 1923 - September 22, 2018)
Peter Joseph McDermott was born in Dublin, Ireland on February 2, 1923 to Peter and Alice McDermott; he was 1 of 7 children. Peter was married to the former Maria Rita Donoghue, also a native Dubliner. Rita and Pete had known each other during their youth. A father to 4 children, he is survived in order: Brian McDermott, Eileen Davis, Maria McDermott and Sheila Jones. He was also a Grandfather to 6 grandchildren: Casey McDermott, Brett Jones, Kaitlyn Amodeo, Haley Davis, Meghan Davis and Emma Jones. And, a Great Grandfather to one great grandchild, Ryland McDermott!
As a young man, Peter served honorably in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during WW-II while stationed in London and Karachi of modern day Pakistan. After the War he repaired stone work in the war torn buildings of London and surrounding cities. He always considered London to be the greatest city on earth. In 1953, Peter immigrated to Canada where he put his pre-war plumbing skills to use. His wife Maria Rita followed him soon after and they were married in Toronto, Canada in 1953. After hearing from a friend of how wonderful the weather was in Los Angeles, they moved to Hollywood in 1957. In 1960, they bought a house in the San Fernando Valley where they raised their family. Peter lived in that house in North Hollywood until 2016. He spent the last 2 years of his life living with his 3 daughters in San Diego, Laguna Hills and Simi Valley (where he spent his final days).
Peter was a plumber by trade for over 40 years and loved every minute of it. He was a man who epitomized the work ethic of the Great Generation. He found meaning, pleasure and fulfillment in work. He often exclaimed, “I love working and I love plumbing!” After retiring in 1985, he helped build 2 houses for his family and found a new passion in making furniture pieces for his daughters. In his spare time the girls’ houses all received face lifts of drywall, paint, tile, and whatever was needed. He was happiest when busy working with his hands, especially if he was doing a job for one of his adult children. His happiness was evident as he could often be heard whistling or singing as he worked in his yard or around the house. He could work circles around men half his age, and never really stopped working until his final few years.
Peter loved the outdoors and the beauty of the natural world; he could regularly be found hiking in the Hollywood Hills with a carload of children, body surfing with one of his kids hanging on his back, or taking in the natural beauty of the California coast line and the forest regions.
As an avid walker and bike rider well into his 90’s; it was not uncommon to see him walking his little dog, Macker, around the neighborhood or on his daily bike rides to Mass and the market. Peter was a genuinely happy person. He believed that he had been very blessed in this life; his heart was full of gratitude, and he had the remarkable gift of finding joy in the simple things of life.
Peter was a man of great faith and dedication. In addition to attending Mass almost every day for about 30 years, he was generous to those in need and often helped people without ever saying a word. For many years, every week Peter would pick up groceries for the food pantry at Church. That was the kind of man he was, giving to others, doing the right thing and never calling attention to himself. He was an unassuming humble man who declined self -indulgences and selfishness and lived simply. He was a man who lived his life in faithful commitment to his family as well as a commitment to his faith. Peter lived a life of giving and apologized that he could not give more to those in need; he lived his life under 3 simple values - family, family, family. He was a “dad” to so many of our family and friends. Loving, generous and considerate are just three words that describe the amazing man that he was.
Peter’s life will be remembered and celebrated on October 29, 4:00- 7:00 Visitation and 7:00 pm Rosary at the Valley Funeral Home in Burbank, and October 30 10:00 Funeral Mass at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church in North Hollywood, followed by a gravesite service at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery.
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