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Joann Kiskiel posted a condolence
Thursday, August 1, 2013
"Dee Dee" - I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I remember the WDM and coming to your house on the hill to play and meeting your dad, mom, Patrick, Duke and Bill and your pugs that snored.
My deepest sympathy.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
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Stacey Clackner Murphy posted a condolence
Sunday, July 21, 2013
So sorry to hear your sad news about Larry. He and Catherine were wonderful neighbors to my parents, Marion and Bill, on Memory Lane.
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Erin & Shawn Finnegan-Staten posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
I am so very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace always. My thoughts are with you and your family Patrick & Marie. All our love, Erin & Shawn
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Jessica Hogan posted a condolence
Sunday, July 14, 2013
When we first moved to Memory Lane, we didn’t know what to expect from the guy next door who spent a lot of time in his garage. We got to know Duke quickly and fell in love with him and his family. Our fondest memories are from hanging out with Duke, at night, around our chiminea. At first, we thought he was mad about all the smoke it created but we were wrong. It didn’t take long for Duke to join us with his Belgium Beer and his Homer Simpson bottle opener that echoed “mmmm Beer” every time he used it. Of course, the best part of the neighborhood gatherings was always Duke's stories. How we all loved to hear his stories of his time in Belgium, how he met his dear wife, how they raised their children and of the White Deer Motel business. It turned out that Duke knew my Grandmother, she had worked for him at one time in the motel. I remembered meeting him, years ago when he gave my Grandmother a ride home. Funny how we are all connected. He remembered our home and my brother playing the drums. It was so cool to have this shared memory with him. As for the stories, yes, we heard them numerous times, but we enjoyed those stories more each time he told them and we cherished the time we spent with him. He was the first to dub our little patio “the beer garden”. In the winter, the first time we shoveled his driveway for him, he opened the door and yelled out “hey, leave my snow alone”. He always made us laugh. Duke taught us a lot about life and what is important. He loved his wife so much and he always talked about how he was so looking forward to being with her again. He was a man of faith and not afraid to show it. In one of our beer garden conversations he told me that he was going to send me a sign when he was finally with his wife. In the past few days, I have received many messages from Duke and know that he is finally home by Catherine’s side. God Bless you Duke and your family. It was an honor to have had you in our lives. As Duke would say at the end of a phone message….”Over and Out…Over and Out.”
Love, Marlowe, Jessica, Abby and Zack (and Murphee, our dog, Duke’s beer buddy)
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Joy McDermott-Guber posted a condolence
Sunday, July 14, 2013
I will always remember the years of great times my father and mother ( Bart & Mabel ) who looked forward to going out to eat with Duke & Catherine and cousins Sonny & Gladys. My parents would also tell me of the stories and laughs they had when they all got together. I also looked forward to the parties at Dukes house with all the cousins as we always had so much fun. After my father passed away, Duke would periodically stopped by the florist ( Broadway Floral ) to see how I was doing and course tell more stories. I would run into him at different stores shopping driving that mobile cart around and tease him he would geta speeding ticket.I always loved seeing him and already miss him.
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Zbigniew & Anna Nowacki posted a condolence
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Duke & Catherine were great neighbors to us on Memory Lane. They were very welcoming when we first moved in & introduced ourselves back in 1995. Duke would work in his garage workshop but would always stop to chat with us while walking our dog or while out with our boys. We remember him fondly always giving out Halloween candy through the "modified" screen door. Much later we would watch him driving out to eat supper @ TGIF's or at the diner everyday at the same time. We have nothing but pleasant memories of "Duke".
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Dennis posted a condolence
Saturday, July 13, 2013
I wish to extend my condolences to my cousins at the loss of their father, my "Uncle Duke" a man of many talents and hobbies, he will be missed.
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Sarah posted a condolence
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Boppy was a great man. I loved going over to his house with Lauren all through highschool just to say hi and make sure everything was ok. He had such a great Irish sense of humor, and when Lauren met the perfect Irishman to marry you could tell nothing made him happier. I wish you all the best, and I send my deepest condolences for such a fun loving guy!
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Amy McDermott posted a condolence
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Larry "Duke" McDermott, may he rest in peace. The only Great Uncle I have ever known, and I am truly thankful that I was able to get to see him on a somewhat regular basis.
Uncle Duke (for he had me call him that too as Great Uncle Duke was kind of long) was sweet, kind, loving and witty all rolled into one. He would come into TGI Friday's where I worked for quite some time(formerly McDermott Hill) at least once a week if not more to reminisce. He would always sit at the same table, order the same meal and drinks and occasionally tell the same stories <3 No one ever minded that he did :) He would always ask how everyone was doing and everyone there all cared enough about him to ask him the same. He always made you smile!
I will always cherish the memories of our conversations and the photos he had to share - from his late wife Catherine to his Belgium family and WW II, to aerial photography and of course his big brother (my late Grandfather Tom ) and the rest of the family. I'm thankful that he was kind and thoughtful enough to introduce me to his side of the family and I send my love and prayers their way.
He was a great man and he will be missed by all. I'm happy he is at peace and with his Catherine whom he missed so very much. <3
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George McDermott posted a condolence
Friday, July 12, 2013
Uncle Duke was my Godfather. Since I was old enough to remember he was in my life. He and Catherine were not only my Uncle and Aunt they were my best friends.
Living next door to him on the McDermott hill with them, my parents Tom (his Brother ) and Dorris my Mom and Grandparents William and Alice. What more could a boy have? All my mentors and cousins in one little package.
I could go on for hours of the ballgames between the houses. Shooting hoops at the Motel parking lot but bringing back all those good times would take a lifetime to tell, lets just say I was a lucky boy.
Uncle Duke always asked me to call him Duke....I did for a while but as I got older my the only thing that came out most of the time was Uncle Duke....Loved him to much.
As a mentor to me he would always give me advice. His words stuck in me like my blood. He would always say
"Remember he who hesitates is Lost" . He would explain it did not matter if it was shooting baskets or in your life. He was correct and following his advice I grew up.
When I joined the United States Navy he was proud. I would write him and tell him and Catherine of my adventures in Submarines. He always thought that good I joined and said he was proud of me.
When I got Married to Carmie and brought her home to meet Aunt Catherine and my Uncle Duke they took her in their hearts from the first. At our first meeting we drank shots of Irish whiskey to welcome her to the family Carmie was in love with both of them and would become a sparkle in Uncle Dukes voice or eye when ever we talked. He would always say give the girl a kiss for me, and being one to do what my Godfather asks, She got that kiss and her eyes would light up.
He always said he wanted to be with his family but needed to be with his Catherine. Well they are in bliss again being together. I am sure she greeted him with that great smile and say
"Well it is about time you came to be with me".
I will never be able to thank that great man for all he has taught me....Greatest man I have ever met. Proud to say he was my Godfather and my best friend... God Speed to my hero and bless his family for giving me part of that great man. A true member and Hero of that greatest generation who saved our world.
Love George
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Carmie McDermott posted a condolence
Friday, July 12, 2013
Uncle Duke and Aunt Catherine were so genuinely loving to me back in 1973 when his nephew/Godson, George and I married. They accepted this southern girl with loving hearts and I cherish the times we spent together over all these years. He was the first Irishman that i had my first shot of Irish Whiskey with one Christmas when we were all together. He was a very special and dear man, supportive to George when he lost his father, Duke's brother, Tom, and he loved his family with all his heart. I'm blessed to have known him and although we will miss him, we know since his sweet Catherine's passing, he only wanted to be with her. Rest in peace, with Catherine finally by your side, our hero, LeDuc. Prayers to his family who loved him so very much.
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Brad posted a condolence
Friday, July 12, 2013
Boppy was in many ways as much a father to me as my own father was. He provided council and friendship to me throughout the years I was married to his daughter Theresa (Dee-Dee). And even in the years that followed. He and Catherine were the most incredibly loving grandparents to our children. I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. I remember the times he took me up in his Cessna and turned to me once we were airborne and said, “…here you fly…” so he could take aerial photos. It was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I remember the countless family gatherings at our home where he always had something to contribute to the conversation that was funny. Sometimes the comments stimulated a lively debate. I remember how he embraced new computer technology with the passion of a youngster. And, I also remember spending hours with him troubleshooting those same computers. I loved it. But in the end, he was the Boppy and we all loved him for the tireless attention and love he showed to each and every one of us. In fact, although I was the son-in-law in this family, I felt I was a son of Duke’s as much as his own flesh and blood. The world was a much better place with him in it and we have truly lost a genuine human being who showed warm care for all who knew him. May he truly rest in peace with his dear love Catherine.
