Obituary of Francis Michael McDermott

Francis M. McDermott, 88 years young, of North Cape May passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at his daughter Pinkie's home in Green Creek. Francis was born June 19, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA.; but has been a Cape May area resident since 1968. He is the son of the late Francis A and the late Mary Margaret (Burke) McDermott. Francis was a 1943 graduate of Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, PA.; where he was crew Captain of the International Champion 4 Man Sculling team. He served his country in the US Navy during World War II in the Pacific Basin earning 4 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars, and 9 Battle Stars. He served on the USS Langley CVL-27as an aerial gunner and medic. Francis was a founding member of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Coordinator of Cape May County EMT Program, a Paramedic Supervisor for the West Jersey Health System, a former Chief and founding member of the North Wildwood Rescue Squad, and President of the Lower Township Rescue Squad. He was a Boy Scout Troop leader of Troop #28 and an Eagle Scout himself. Francis was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Floatilla #82 Cape May, NJ. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Villas Gun Club, Reserved Firefighters of Philadelphia, and instructor at Philadelphia Fire College at the Naval Yard. He was the Lead Soprano of the Catholic Diocese Choir. In 1939 Francis won tickets to the World's Fair for being the top paper boy in Philadelphia. He is survived by: his wife of 27 years Geneva (Alexander) McDermott; his daughters: Kate Kauffman, Susanne Difino, Pinkie Candell, & Christina McDermott; his sons: Francis McDermott, Jr. & Sean Patrick McDermott; 16 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Francis was preceded in death by his daughter Sharon McDermott, his sister Margaret Spedding, his brother John McDermott, and his first wife Doris (Tierney) McDermott. There will be a visitation from 9:00 to 12:00 on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the Town Bank Fire Hall with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 PM at the Parish of St John Neumann, St Raymond's RC Church, Ocean & Bayshore Rd, Villas, NJ 08251. Interment will follow at Cold Spring Cemetery, 780 Seashore Rd, Cold Spring, NJ 08204. The family suggests donations in Francis' memory to the Lower Township Rescue Squad, PO Box 89, Villas, NJ 08251. To share condolences, please visit www.evoyfuneralhome.com.