Obituary of James E. McDermott

WATERVLIET - James E. McDermott, 89, passed away on Monday June 27, 2016 at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy. He was born on September 12, 1926 in New York City to the late Paul and Kathleen Urig McDermott. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and during WWII he was a part of the Seabees at Iwo Jima. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and in 1966 he moved to Saranac Lake. There he worked as a heavy equipment operator for the village of Saranac Lake. In 1985, he moved to Westerlo, where he resided up until four years ago. He worked as a Tax Compliance Officer for NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance in Albany until his retirement. While living in Westerlo, James was a member of the Greenville American Legion Post 291. After retiring, he taught line dancing and country dancing classes. In addition to his parents, James is predeceased by his wife, Veronica Rowley McDermott, and his brothers, Paul and Francis McDermott. James is survived by his son, James G. (Darlene) McDermott of Waxahachie, TX; his grandchildren, Jessica (Seth) Fritz of Waxahachie, TX and Luke McDermott of Hillsboro, OR; his great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Connor Fritz; his significant other for twenty-five years, Joyce Schelde of Watervliet; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Thursday June 30, 2016 from 10am to 12pm at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville, NY 12083, with a funeral service to follow at 12pm. Burial will be held at the Greenville Cemetery immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Greenville American Legion Post 291, PO Box 132, Greenville, NY 12083. Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.