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Services
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne. A service of remembrance will be held at 7 PM during the visitation hours.
Daniel J. McDermott, Sr., age 74, of Wayne for over fifty years, slipped away peacefully after a stroke, on Friday, May 6, 2016.
He was born in Paterson living the first four years of his life at 16 23rd Avenue then moving to 149 Trenton Avenue where he would live through his high school years. Dan graduated from Eastside High School with the Class of 1959. He worked as a fireman for the City of Paterson for several years and later worked for and eventually retired from the Wayne Police Department.
For many years Dan attended classes at William Paterson University in Wayne. He would declare a major, get real close to having the credits to receive the degree, and then change majors. Eventually he had so many college credits and no degree that he elicited a phone call from the Dean of the University. He told Dan he had to graduate and Dan responded “no I don’t - I’m here for an education not a degree.”
Dan will be remembered as a unique, humble, kind person who loved playing the stock market. Many will recall his seemingly endless recall of little sayings he always had at the ready: “All behavior is learned,” “It’s all a learning experience,” “Nothing is constant but change,” and many others. He was outwardly tough both emotionally and physically but had a warm heart that always put others needs before his own. He was a protector at heart. As a little girl his daughter Sheri was told “don’t worry, just ask your dad… he will always be there for you.” And he was. He loved to read and especially enjoyed psychology and philosophy books. His softer side was evidenced by his love of painting with water colors and oil as well as his love of woodworking and photography and gardening. As with many artists his works were never quite finished as they each needed just a little more time to make them perfect. His sensitive nature was also exposed with his love of animals. Although he was an avid hunter in his younger years, Dan said,” If I did it over again, I would just photograph the wildlife.” The family had several dogs through the years and most recently he loved his time with his cat Paige. Dan also enjoyed fishing & boating, with his son and grandson. The adventures of Daniel I, Dan II, and Danny III, are too many to share. But their memories of Bimini, Alaska, the Hudson, and Greenwood Lake will most likely be told for generations to come.
Most of all Dan loved his family! He was very proud of his two children Dan and Sheri and cherished time with his grandchildren. He loved to share his history with them and hear of all their accomplishments. He had an exceptional way of showing unconditional love to his entire family. Dan loved Jane very much. He was never in a rush when it came to spending time with her and always had an ear if she needed to be heard. After retiring Dan & Jane were stuck like glue 24/7 enjoying every moment life had to offer together. Dan & his brother Joe talked every day. It amazed Joe that he knew something about everything, but especially liked to reminisce with his brother whenever he had the chance. His family will all miss him dearly, but are thankful for the time they had together and all the memories and lessons Dan taught them.
Dan was the loving companion of Jane for the past thirty-three years; devoted father of Daniel McDermott II of Wayne, and Sheri Flandreau and her husband Matthew of Sturbridge, MA; cherished grandfather of Danny, Bianca, Madison and Liza and his brother Joe of Toms River.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne. A service of remembrance will be held at 7 PM during the visitation hours.
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne. A service of remembrance will be held at 7 PM during the visitation hours.
Daniel J. McDermott, Sr., age 74, of Wayne for over fifty years, slipped away peacefully after a stroke, on Friday, May 6, 2016.
He was born in Paterson living the first four years of his life at 16 23rd Avenue then moving to 149 Trenton Avenue where he would live through his high school years. Dan graduated from Eastside High School with the Class of 1959. He worked as a fireman for the City of Paterson for several years and later worked for and eventually retired from the Wayne Police Department.
For many years Dan attended classes at William Paterson University in Wayne. He would declare a major, get real close to having the credits to receive the degree, and then change majors. Eventually he had so many college credits and no degree that he elicited a phone call from the Dean of the University. He told Dan he had to graduate and Dan responded “no I don’t - I’m here for an education not a degree.”
Dan will be remembered as a unique, humble, kind person who loved playing the stock market. Many will recall his seemingly endless recall of little sayings he always had at the ready: “All behavior is learned,” “It’s all a learning experience,” “Nothing is constant but change,” and many others. He was outwardly tough both emotionally and physically but had a warm heart that always put others needs before his own. He was a protector at heart. As a little girl his daughter Sheri was told “don’t worry, just ask your dad… he will always be there for you.” And he was. He loved to read and especially enjoyed psychology and philosophy books. His softer side was evidenced by his love of painting with water colors and oil as well as his love of woodworking and photography and gardening. As with many artists his works were never quite finished as they each needed just a little more time to make them perfect. His sensitive nature was also exposed with his love of animals. Although he was an avid hunter in his younger years, Dan said,” If I did it over again, I would just photograph the wildlife.” The family had several dogs through the years and most recently he loved his time with his cat Paige. Dan also enjoyed fishing & boating, with his son and grandson. The adventures of Daniel I, Dan II, and Danny III, are too many to share. But their memories of Bimini, Alaska, the Hudson, and Greenwood Lake will most likely be told for generations to come.
Most of all Dan loved his family! He was very proud of his two children Dan and Sheri and cherished time with his grandchildren. He loved to share his history with them and hear of all their accomplishments. He had an exceptional way of showing unconditional love to his entire family. Dan loved Jane very much. He was never in a rush when it came to spending time with her and always had an ear if she needed to be heard. After retiring Dan & Jane were stuck like glue 24/7 enjoying every moment life had to offer together. Dan & his brother Joe talked every day. It amazed Joe that he knew something about everything, but especially liked to reminisce with his brother whenever he had the chance. His family will all miss him dearly, but are thankful for the time they had together and all the memories and lessons Dan taught them.
Dan was the loving companion of Jane for the past thirty-three years; devoted father of Daniel McDermott II of Wayne, and Sheri Flandreau and her husband Matthew of Sturbridge, MA; cherished grandfather of Danny, Bianca, Madison and Liza and his brother Joe of Toms River.
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