In Memoriam: Fair Havenite Patrick McDermott, 87

Fair Havenite Patrick “Paddy” Joseph McDermott, “beloved husband, father, pop-pop, brother, uncle and friend was called home early Monday,” Nov. 21. He was 87.

Paddy was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, as he was in life. It gave him a great sense of peace, because he knew where everyone was; and that was a requirement in his book.

Patrick McDermott
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Life with Pat was never dull. He was always on the go, whether it was making his legendary Christmas Eve rounds, driving thousands of miles on his rental cars during trips to Ireland, or betting the horses in Galway, all done wearing a suit while impeccably groomed. Pat loved to be a part of the action and when he was sidelined in these past years, he followed all of our adventures as if they were his own. Pat could always be seen with the phone in his hand and loved a good story, although
he couldn’t be trusted with a secret …
The most important thing in the world to Pat was family. He cherished every story about his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. If his family was his legacy, there was no man more successful than Patrick McDermott.”
Loved ones of Paddy McDermott in his obituary

Paddy emigrated from Roscommon to New Jersey on June 1, 1957. Every year, he would remind his family of this anniversary, and although he was here in his second home for 64 years, “his heart never left Ireland.

“Even when his body couldn’t travel, his mind often wandered back to Roscommon and the stories of his youth. One of his many legacies was the strong appreciation he gave his family for their heritage.”

Paddy worked at Maxwell House in Hoboken for 38 years and made lifelong friends there. He met his wife Norah through an introduction from his brother-in-law, Eddie Beirne, and we know he was eternally grateful to Eddie (even if he wouldn’t admit that he owed his life’s happiness to Eddie). He raised his family in Kearny, where he lived until 2018 when he moved to Fair Haven to be closer to family.

Patrick is survived by: his wife of 50 years, Norah (nee Beirne); his daughter, Tara (Kevin Barnett), of Fair Haven; his son, Michael (Leigh), of Fair Haven; his daughter, Bernadette (Kevin Rockett), of Marblehead, MA; his son Patrick (Natasha), of Lawrenceville; 11 grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kara, Anna, Olivia, Lily, Liam, Maddy, Michael, Audrey, Declan, and Vivian; his brother Noel(Strokestown); his sister, Pauline, of Weehawken; his brother Mike, of Jersey City; his sister Lily (Mallow); countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

“Pat will be missed terribly by those he’s left behind, but we’re comforted that he’ll be sidelined no more. We have no doubt that he was met by those who passed before him including his mother Annie, sisters Bridie and Kate, and cherished friends Maureen Nisler, John Duignan, and Eddie Sexton. Hopefully, they had Brendan Shine playing and front-row seats to the races. Right now, he’s dancing like he once did in our living room at 18 Brighton with a camera around his neck, his car keys in one hand and a phone in the other, wearing a suit and tie of course.
Rest easy, Pat.”
McDermott family

A service is set for Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank, followed by a mass to celebrate his life at The Church of the Nativity at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

— Edited obituary provided by family via John E. Day Funeral Home