Obituary of Edward Joseph McDermott

Edward Joseph McDermott, age 88 formerly of Goshen, NY, passed away in Lacombe, LA on Friday, February 27, 2009. Mr. McDermott was the beloved husband of the late Marybeth McDonnell McDermott. He is survived by two daughters, Marianne McDermott of Lacombe, LA, Andrea Guillot (husband Kevin) of Lacombe, LA and one son, Thomas McDermott (wife Lisa) of Alpharetta, GA; a sister, Patsy Baterman of Sun City, Ca; three grandchildren, Amy Catherine Guillot of Lacombe, LA, Nicole Marie McDermott and Matthew Joseph McDermott, both of Alpharetta, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Joseph McDermott and Myra Lussier McDermott; and two brothers, Leo McDermott and Carl McDermott. Our father, Edward J. McDermott was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. After graduating from Fairhaven High School, he joined the U.S. Navy during the latter part of World War II. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he attended the University of Maine at Orono and played football under his mentor, Sam Sezak, who was his football coach at Fairhaven. Due to the great respect he had for Sam, Dad became interested in physical education and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in that field. His college summer vacations were spent coaching football players at his old high school. After his graduation, he also accepted a position as a phys ed teacher at his old alma meter, Fairhaven High. On February 14, 1953, Dad had his first date with Marybeth McDonnell, an English teacher working in Atteboro, MA. Dad proposed to Mom on the second date, She said "it is too soon"! Dad proposed AGAIN on the third date and then Mom said, "YES"! They were married on June 30, 1953. The kids soon followed. In need of money, Mom and Dad moved to Tarrytown, NY, where Dad was hired as a Phys Ed Teacher in Irvington, NY. While living in Irvington Dad in 1951, earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Columbia University, during the early 1960's. He was then offered a position as an Assistant School Principal in Chapaqua, NY. Dad soon wanted to become the Principal of his own school. Luckily, he was offered that position at Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School and the McDermott family made a final move to Goshen, NY in 1965. Over the years, Dad had really enjoyed being a Principal, working with a great bunch of teachers and helping students to become the best that they could be. His love of people and concern for their wellbeing was the driving force behind his joining the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club, the volunteer fire department and becoming a town councilman in the early 1990s. We are so proud of our Mom and Dad. They complemented each other, beautifully, and were honest, sincere, loving and fun! After Mom died in 2002, some of the fun went out of Dad's life - yet he was an inspiration to many - making many friends during his four years in Louisiana and bringing people together, spiritually. His LOVE for the Lord was ever increasing and there was comfort for him knowing that he would see Our Lord and Mom again. He always said, "Our marriage was made in Heaven"! As we held him and as he drew his last breath, we were JOYOUS because a "marriage made in Heaven" had reached it's "fruition" in HEAVEN"!!!!!!!! A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 10:00 am at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, 71 Murray Ave, Goshen,, NY. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Goshen, NY. Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen, NY - (845) 294-6422.