Thomas Patrick McDermott, decorated veteran
Thomas Patrick McDermott, 75, of Lewes, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. He was born March 22, 1947, in Queens, N.Y. The youngest of two sons of the late Bridget D. (Kelly) and Peter McDermott, he was raised in Sunnyside, Queens, and Madison, N.J., graduating from Bayley Ellard High School in 1965.
Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army (1966 - 1971), where he proudly and honorably served his country during Vietnam as a medic with the Fourth Battalion, 42nd Artillery and Second Brigade, Fourth Infantry Division Long Range Recon Patrol team. During his years in combat, he was wounded several times. For his sacrifice and exemplary service, he was awarded multiple medals including the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and three Purple Hearts. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association, an organization he had great pride in supporting throughout his life.
After the military, Tom settled in Madison, N.J., where he met and married Judith Napolitano. In 1980, they welcomed their daughter, Alexis Christine. His professional path would lead to a 25-year career with New Jersey Transit as a rail signal infrastructure technician, retiring in 2011. After living in Madison for over 60 years, he and Judi moved to Lewes, where they became part of a close-knit community in Nassau Grove.
Tom was a charismatic man; all heart, always a smile on his face and full of love. He was an Irishman through and through, fiercely proud of his heritage and the life of the party. He had a passion for music, especially jazz and classic rock. He was a sports enthusiast, and football was his favorite. To the dismay of many, he never stopped believing in his beloved New York Jets. He loved to read and had a never-ending thirst for knowledge. He'd start every day by reading five newspapers and once read an entire encyclopedia for fun. He was an avid fisherman, and his spirit came alive when he was out on the water. He was a collector of rare stamps, Lionel train sets and railroad memorabilia. He had these interests since childhood and loved to share them with his grandson.
His devotion to family took precedence above all and time with them was what he cherished. Tom was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend. He and Judi celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary Oct. 16, 2022.
With the love and support of his wife and daughter, he fought valiantly to overcome a series of health challenges over the last several years. Throughout this difficult period, he exhibited remarkable courage and dignity, while still maintaining the sense of humor that endeared him to family, friends, and neighbors. He was a courageous soldier to the very end.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Peter J. McDermott of Arnold, Md. He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith A. (Napolitano) McDermott of Lewes, his daughter, Alexis C. McDermott, her husband Ross A. Miller, and his grandson Jack Thomas Miller of Summit, N.J. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lorraine W. McDermott of Arnold, Md.; his niece, Kimberley M. Mertz of Seattle, Wash., and her two children: grandniece Sean E. Mertz and grandnephew James (Jay) Mertz.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m
All who cannot attend in person are invited to join the services via livestreaming by visiting the following link: webcasts.lifetributes.com/1238203.
Interment with military honors will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
To read the entire unabbreviated obituary, visit Mr. McDermott’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
