Obituary of John F. McDermott
John F. McDermott, Jr., of Denville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Kindred Hospital, Dover. He was one day shy of his 91st birthday. Born in Orange, NJ to the late John F. McDermott, Sr. and Alice C. Alworth, he was raised in Newark with his twin sister, Elaine. He proudly served our country in the United States Army during World War II, serving with the 21st Infantry at Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1947 as a Private First Class and Rifleman with a World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and World War II Lapel Button. John was a very smart man, graduating from Seton Hall Prep High School and after returning home from war, Seton Hall University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He was also an extremely hard worker, having worked at Eberhardt (7 years), Bendix (15 years), Real Estate Agent (20 years), and most recently, a Night Shift Limo Driver (15 years), which was his most favorite job of all. He became very close with Denville and Mountain Lakes Police Officers, as he would love to visit his favorite Diners, Bendix, Paul’s, Hibernia, & Tic Toc, and they would always come up and chat with John.
On January 7, 1948 he married the love of his life, Ruth Josephine Andersen. Together they raised four beautiful children in Denville. He was a member of St. Mary’s RC Church. An avid Yankees fan, John also loved watching Seton Hall Basketball, vacationing at the Jersey Shore and Disney World, the Turner Classic Movie Channel, and going to the midnight shows at the Rockaway AMC. John was a very active man, making sure to always be working or on the move somewhere. He was very independent and a wonderful conversationalist. He didn’t have any acquaintances, only friends. Anyone that met John would tell you how they fell in love with him immediately. Above anything else, his family was the first priority in his life. He adored spending time with them whenever it was possible.
Predeceased by his beloved wife, Ruth, in 2001, his legacy of dedication and compassion will remain in the hearts and souls of his cherished family, John F. McDermott III and his wife Eileen F. and their son, Patrick “P.J.” of Greendell, NJ, Ingrid (and her late husband, Erich) Leibrecht of Sparta and her children, Krista Leibrecht of Flanders, Jeff Leibrecht and his wife Michelle of Sparta, and Karyn Roda and her husband Dominic of Warwick, RI, Matthew McDermott, and Elerine Pickens and her significant other, Mike Zingaro of Sparta; his treasured great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Ryan, and Andrew Leibrecht; and many extended family and friends.
Public Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 29th from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, November 30th at 10 am at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 15 Myers Ave., Denville. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Please light a candle, leave a condolence, and a special memory for his family.
