Obituary of John Francis McGaughey

John Francis McGaughey, born June 4, 1925 in County Fermanagh, N. Ireland to Michael and Catherine (Currin) McGaughey passed away peacefully at home with his loving family at his side on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 in Greenville, NY. John immigrated from Ireland in 1949 and resided in New York City where he met his loving wife Nora (Drury). They married on June 9, 1956 in New York City, and were married for 58 years. He was a loving father to his 3 children Maura Timmins, Kathleen Ebner and John T. McGaughey. He had a very special bond with his son-in-law Philip Ebner and his daughter-in-law Julie (Sassi) McGaughey. He was an adored grandfather to Meghan Timmins, James Timmins, Kristen McGaughey and Giana McGaughey, step-granddaughter Lauren Richards and step great-grandson Luke Jack Richards. He was the loving brother of Margaret (Peggy) McCann of Massachusetts, Fr. Sylvius McGaughey of Dublin, Ireland and Seamus McGaughey of Long Island, NY. John was predeceased by his parents and brother Michael McGaughey, and sisters Mary Ann Lynch, Bridget Smith, Kate McCann. He is the fond brother-in-law of Theresa O'Keefe, Kathleen & Martin Bailey, Claire & Jackie Lee, Madeline McCabe, Ann Drury and Vincent Drury and beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews in the United States and Ireland. John worked for IBM for 38 years. He joined them in 1951 working at the Madison Avenue Headquarters in NYC. He also worked in other locations in Pennsylvania and Connecticut before retiring from the Franklin Lakes, NJ office in 1988. John lived on Staten Island from 1962 to 1982. He attended Sacred Heart Church and was a member of the Holy Name Society. While on Staten Island he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). He was elected as the first Recording Secretary of AOH Division 4. He was very active in the organization of the Staten Island St. Patrick's Day Parade and the AOH annual dinner dance. He marched in the Staten Island St. Patrick's Day parade every year as a resident of Staten Island. He bought a summer home in Greenville, NY in 1973 and became a permanent resident here in 1988. He loved his home in Greenville because it reminded him of Ireland. He loved being outside and tending to his land and gardens and admiring "his" mountains. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Knock Council 6439, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 2 of Greene County. John and his wife Nora also had a winter home in Clearwater, FL and were very active in the Irish American Society and the Top of The World Irish Club. One of John's proudest moments was when he was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2012. He was also proud to march in the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade with his son John and carry the County Fermanagh Banner up 5th Avenue many times. John loved to play golf and visit the race track. He especially loved his annual family gatherings at Saratoga Race Track each summer. He also enjoyed visiting Tampa Downs in Florida. John celebrated his 80th & 85th birthdays at Monmouth Park Race Track in New Jersey and enjoyed seeing his name on the tote board as he was honored with a race called the "John F. McGaughey Fermanagh Derby". John also loved to listen to Irish music and dance at the Irish Resorts in East Durham, NY. He and his wife Nora won many dancing competitions. He was famous for his smooth style and his favorite dance was the waltz which he taught to his daughters Maura and Kathleen at a very young age. "My father was a loving husband, a fantastic father and dear granddad. He was a true gentleman in all he did. We miss him very much but know that he is at peace now and will be watching over all of us" said his daughter Kathleen Ebner. Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at A. J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville, NY 12083. Funeral Mass will be offered Monday at noon at Our Lady of Knock Shrine, 2052 State Route 145, East Durham, NY 12423, followed by burial in Greenville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, NY 12414 will be appreciated. Condolence page at ajcunninghamfh.com.