Joseph McDermott's Obituary
Joseph “Joe” McDermott, age 93, of Fort Myers, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2009.Joe is survived by his son, Bruce and daughter-in-law, Lynn; and his son, Donald, and daughter-in-law, Denise, all of California. Joe will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Graham, Andrea, Eric, Christopher and Elyse, all of California. Joe was born on December 15, 1915. He was the son of David H. McDermott and Ruth McDermott of Camden, New Jersey. Joe was an excellent student growing up, skipping several grades, as well as an outstanding baseball player. He played 3rd base – the “hot corner”, as he called it – and received scouting inquiries from local universities. Joe later graduated from Temple University, majoring in Business Administration. Joe served as an officer in the Marine Corps during WWII in the Pacific Campaign. He was wounded on Guam, receiving a Purple Heart. In 1946, Joe married Betty Williams of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania and they settled in Springfield, Pennsylvania, as Joe was starting his career in the surety industry. Betty was a wonderful match for Joe and they were married for 54 years until Betty passed away in December of 2003. Joe started in the insurance industry with INA and Manufacturers Casualty Company. In 1951, he helped to organize the surety bonding department for Reliance Insurance Company in Philadelphia where he spent the rest of his career. Joe eventually became a senior vice president of Reliance and managed the surety business for them nationally. Joe served as chairman of the National Surety Association in 1976 and 1977. In 1978, Joe and Betty moved to Cape Coral and then, to Fort Myers. Joe always felt that his marriage with Betty was so wonderful because they shared so many common interests: tennis, golf, bridge, dancing, throwing parties and travel. Joe was also very handy, remodeling basements and building porch additions in their early homes. He also took finish carpentry classes at night and built such things as stereo cabinets, bookcases and a beautiful hardwood desk for their house in Pennsylvania. Joe loved to read the Wall St. Journal every day and had a great business sense. His bright, logical mind, highly responsible character and “no nonsense” approach to life made him a popular choice to serve on committees and boards for the many golf clubs he belonged to in the Philadelphia and Fort Myers areas. Joe always had a “can do” attitude, and never complained about his own hardships and difficulties. Joe’s straightforward and practical approach to life often masked his deeply sentimental and emotional nature when it came to his family and close friends. He also proved to be a tireless, thoughtful and creative caregiver for Betty, when she suffered from macular degeneration in her later years. Joe – husband, father, grandfather, provider and dear friend, will be greatly missed by all. Friends who wish to remember Joe in some way, can make donations in his name to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, Florida 33906. A brief service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 5th at the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. At 11:30 a.m., a celebration of Joe’s life will be held for family and friends at Rene’s on Winkler, 7050 Winkler Road, in Fort Myers.
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?