I want to express my deep sorrow at Fr. Bob’s passing and add to the countless words of tribute that have been shared over the past eight days. Fr. Bob was the greatest clergy member I have ever known, and perhaps the greatest person I have ever known, period. He was thoughtful, wise, warm, loving, and funny. He gave endlessly and expected nothing in return. His empathy seemed to know no bounds. At the same time, he never wavered in speaking the truth, even if it made those living lives of comfort uncomfortable. 

Fr. Bob had an exceptional gift for connecting with people on a deep and personal level, and making each person feel like they were the only thing that mattered in that very moment. When you spoke with Fr. Bob, you knew that he was fully in the moment, listening intently and committed to helping you work through whatever concern or problem might be weighing on you. Or simply sharing in whatever joy you might be experiencing at the time. He just “got” people. 

I am heartbroken at the loss of Fr. Bob – for our family, for St. Joe’s, for Camden, and for the world. But I will continue to be touched by his righteous indignation at society’s social and financial inequities and inspired by his gentle tenacity in working to help the most vulnerable among us. Rest in peace, Fr. Bob. May God grant you your just reward for a life well lived.

(Photo: Fr. Bob baptizing my son, Noah, in 2008)

Thank you Father Bob for taking a chance in 1988 and hiring me to teach at St. Joe's. I was an uncertified teacher but you took a chance on me and that has led me to a wonderful career that has lasted 30 years, with more to go. You r passion for making the city of Camden a better and safer place was second to none, and you love for children was obvious. I would not have had the wonderful gift of teaching if it were not for you. Rest in Peace. 

My deepest condolences to Msgr. Bob’s family.  I feel lucky to be able to consider Fr. Bob as part of my family as well. His passing marks the end of an era at the St. Joseph’s parrish, though he has been retired for some time, we as a community still felt his presence and will continue to do so, even though he may not be here physically, his legacy will always live on...in our memories and through all the programs that he established.

Fr. Bob was more than a priest. He was family. Every major life event, I can remember him there. First communion in 2nd grade, quinceañera, being an altar server, even my dental school graduation. I remember in 8th grade, he told me he believed in me and wanted me to go to Camden Catholic, and I was able to do so after being awarded a scholarship at the annual St. Joseph’s dinner dance. He even came to my dental school graduation in Newark, NJ. It’s  amazing the hundreds of people that feel the exact same way. How many lives he has touched. He was so special to so many. I agree with another mourner that compared him to pope John Paul, II and should be considered for sainthood. Truly saddened by his departure but heaven has gained another angel. To my forever priest, I love you. Rest in Peace.

First photo, Eighth grade graduation 1998

Second photo, Dental school graduation 2011



A great person.  Loved his smile.  Married Kevin and  I in September, 1984.  

Photo of Father Bob and Godson Daniel celebrating his First Communion. 

Photo of Father Bob and his Godson Daniel Mendez.  Celebrating Daniel's Baptism. 

Our deepest condolences to the McDermott family.  Father Bob will truely be missed. We will always cherish all the wonderful memories.  Rest in peace.   Love the Babilonia / Mendez family. 

My first memory of Father Bob (who I eventually learned to call "cousin Bobby" without genuflecting) is when my fiance, Jack McDermott, and I asked him to officiate at our wedding. There were a few red tape issues to get sorted out on my side, but he was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the whole process. The best part, though, was when he married us in 2003. People still talk about how approachable and joyful he seemed, and we always had the same answer: "He doesn't SEEM that way - he IS that way!"

You brought peace and comfort to so many in your lifetime, Fr. Bob. 

Rest now.


To all the McDermott Clan and to fellow classmates, Mary Ann and Charlie Reed,

Barbara recalls a very sweet and wonderful boy with whom she went to school at St. Joseph's and CCHS. Later in life they interacted concerning the welfare of St. Joseph's School and Church, which they both loved.  Barbara and Joe  were married at St. Joseph's in 1964 and continue to take supportive interest in the education of children in the parish. Joe played basketball with Bob when at CCHS. Joe was class of '58,  so he and Bob had much contact through athletics as young men.

We feel that Bob was the St. Teresa of East Camden, who lived his life with love for everyone and always bore witness to the Lord's welcoming table for all. Our tears are for our loss, as we know he is reunited with family in the paradise promised to all the faithful.

We will miss the services for "Bobby" as Barbara always called him,  due to our health concerns and a move we are soon making from DE soon to NJ to be closer to family. Our prayers each night were always for Bob and other dear ones who were ill. Now we can pray to him to intercede for us to the Lord for any issues we may have.

Those who knew Fr. Bob needed no list of his accomplishments, which would have embarrassed him. He simply wanted to live out his vocation serving others. He taught us how to live and how to die, much like Pope John Paul. May the family be lifted by the outpouring of love that will be given to them in Fr. Bob's name.  Peace to all.

With sympathy and love,
Barbara Wagner Strasser(SJS'56 and CCHS'60 and Joe Strasser, CCHS'58

On behalf of our family to the McDermott family our deepest condolences. Father Bob will be missed he was the ultimate champion for many especially St. Joseph Family we miss his presence daily and we will keep his legacy always “God is good all the time, all the time God is good” . 

I remember Father Bob in high school. He was so friendly and participated in our lives like one of us! On a personal note, he helped me at a very low point in my life, bringing me back to Jesus when I needed it most! I will never forget his compassion and caring. I know he is resting easy with our Lord now! He will be greatly missed! My prayers for his family and friends. 🙏🙏

Please accept my sincere condolences at the passing of your beloved "Bobby." 
Fr. Bob was in residence at my parish in Barrington years ago.  He was part of our Marriage Encounter Community and celebrated many Masses with us.  I also had the pleasure of singing and strumming my guitar along side of him!  His spirituality was a wonderful influence for all who knew him.  The Catholic Church of the Diocese of Camden is richer because of his priesthood.   May the Holy Spirit comfort and console your hearts and may Our Blessed Mother cover you with her mantle of strength and peace.   
 With love and prayers, Mary Ann Richards, O.C.D.S.

Our Condolences to the Mc Dermott family


Photo of our wedding day 2010.

" Father BOB " , Edwin and Mayda Gonzalez

Condolences to the McDermott family


Photo of " Father Bob " and My son Edwin Gonzalez, Jr. during conclusion of Easter Sunday Mass 2006
 at St. Joe's.

Much love and condolences to the McDermott family.


Esmeralda Gonzalez

                 Our condolences to the Mcdermott family.  MSGR.    "FR. BOB"
 Father Bob you were and will forever be part of our lives.  
We Love you. Rest in Peace

P.S. Say hi to our son and brother Kino in heaven. 

Sincerely, 
 Elvin, Sr.  and Esmeralda Gonzalez
and family. ( Kiko and Kiki )

My condolences to the Campbell and McDermott families. A couple years ago I had the opportunity to get to know Fr Bob at St Mary's in Cherry Hill. My parents were there for many months and when I would take them to Mass in the chapel I would invariably run into Fr Bob and we had many discussions, most centered around basketball and the Campbell family!! I cherish those memories of him and how open, enthusiastic and engaging he was with me and my parents! May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to the McDermott and Campbell families. God bless each of you in your loss.  You will always have GREAT memories as we have as well. XXOO

On behalf of the whole Corbett family our condolences to Father McDermott's family and all the people who's lives he touched.  My parents knew the McDermott family as parishioners at St. Joe's in the 50's and 60's and my mother Dorothy loved Father Bob.  He fulfilled one of her last wishes by concelebrating her funeral mass.  He was a terrific person and priest and will be missed by all who had the luck to know him.  Rest in peace Father Bob.

Our Condolences goes out to Father Bob’s Family and the St.Joesph’s Community in Camden who have been impacted by him individually and as a family mentally, physically and emotionally. 

We want to say we Love You and you will always be missed forever in our hearts. You helped, mentor, taught us so many ways about growing up as a hardworking individual/ adult and we can’t repay you for what you did for us but just know that we are truly  grateful for everything that you have done for us and we want to say Thank You Father Bob! You are the greatest of all time that we ever known.

With Love Danielle and Devon...

      

I have many memories of father Bob. The day of my wedding and the day he Baptize my son. The day my son did his first communion.  My condolences to the family.  Will miss him dearly.  RIP Father Bob... 

To all the family,  Please received  our most  sincerily  condolace.   We always remember our father  BOB with respect and love . He will always be in oír prayers and in oír heart.

Rest In Peace Father Bob, we will never forget you! You were always loved! Gone but never forgotten! 

Bob, it was great being your neighbor and brother in Camden from 2005-14.  I loved the way you always fought for the poor, and for Camden.  You taught me so much about community organizing, and were a great model for how to be a priest in Camden. I am sorry that I will miss you funeral, but I'm sure you would approve, as I will be teaching people about community organizing here in Buffalo that morning. Camden will not be the same without you, but heaven will have one more saint.

Bob and my brother Bobby O'Donnell were great friends.Sadly ,my brother passed away a few years ago.But I know  that God has his hands full with those two great ,funloving and incredibly decent men.Both loved basketball and played many games together.Usually ,afterwards they'd meet at the Avalon.If "OD "were here he say" job well done  Bob".Deepest sympathy to the McDermott family ,Camden's great loss. Kathleen O'Donnell Lovett,Esq.

My condolences to the family. Father  Bob was such a wonderful, humble and caring man of God . What he did for my family and the community was so beautiful and powerful. I will charish all the memories that I have of him. We have truly lossed a great priest, friend, and a person I considered part of the family. We love you Father Bob may you RIP 

The Joseph Fund

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Funeral Mass

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Robert T. McDermott Sr.

Catherine Gross McDermott

Katherine Anne Campbell

Gerard Campbell

Charles Reed

Maryann Reed

Mary Eileen Del Grande

Mark Del Grande

Joseph McDermott

Margaret McDermott

Denise Culken

Sean Culkin

Loving uncle of Kathleen (Bill) Dougherty, Kevin (MaryJane) Campbell, Christopher (Maria) Campbell, Matthew (Tricia) Campbell, Mark (Gina) Campbell, Steven (Kathrine) Reed, Charlene Barlow Reed, Thomas (Sarah) Reed, Kimberly (Steve) Rodosky, Brian (Robyn) Reed, Nicholas (Kristianna) Del Grande, Meghan (Jim) Rosser, Laura (Patrick) Walsh, Julia McDermott, Michael Culkin, Sean Culkin, Rory Culkin and predeceased Robert McDermott.

OBITUARY

Rev. Msgr. Robert T. McDermott "Fr. Bob"

July 19, 1942 – February 17, 2019

Blake-Doyle Funeral Home

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