John F. McDermott

John F. McDermott, 77 years old, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 6th, surrounded by his family. Born September 9, 1945, in Albany, New York, he was the son of the late Frederick and Sophie (Allen) McDermott and husband of Maureen (Murray) McDermott. A proud Albanian, John grew up on Eagle Street across from the Governor's mansion. He was educated at Cathedral Academy in Albany, New York, Bishop Gibbons High School, class of 1963, in Schenectady, New York, and University of Albany, class of 1975 with a focus on history and environmentalism. As a young boy, he enjoyed riding horses while helping his older brother Fred on his horse farm before John became a prized show jumper. He began his career as a page for the NY State Assembly and was employed in various positions within the Departments of New York State for 25 years. He retired from the State before he worked in Security for the past 19 years for the Albany City School District and TMR Security. He proudly served as an active Albany Democratic committee member for 17 years and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He served in the US Air Force, during the Vietnam era, between September 1966 to December 1969 and was stationed in Washington, D.C. and Heathrow Airport, London, England. John was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His wife, children and son-in-law considered him their best friend. He enjoyed gardening, dancing, a cup of coffee in the sunshine watching the birds and other wildlife while saying his morning prayers, spending quality moments with his family, his adventures in Ireland and numerous vacations to the Berkshires, Cape Cod and Maine with his wife and children. He loved sharing his family history, Irish heritage, enthusiastic humour, stories from his childhood playing with his dear siblings and best friends John Kearney and Sal Duva, how proud he was of his wife and children and his passion for environmental conservation and protection. His greatest achievements were the love he had for his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law, they were his best friends and whole world. He adored his mother and father-in-law, Bernie and Dorothy Murray and his entire Murray and McDermott clan. He is survived by his wife, Maureen of 43 years and son Patrick Murray McDermott of Albany, New York, daughter Katie Ann McDermott and son-in-law Chris Fiato of Medway, Massachusetts, sister Anne Stuart of Connecticut, James McDermott of Loudonville, New York, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his brothers Fred and Joseph McDermott and sister Elizabeth Condon of Albany, New York.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday April 14th at 1:15pm in Sacred Heart Church, 310 Spring Avenue Troy with interment immediately following in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery. Family and friends are invited and may call on Thursday April 13th 4-6pm in the Daniel D. Purcell Funeral Home, 510 Pawling Avenue Troy.

Donations in John's memory may be made to Saratoga WarHorse.