Joseph M. McDonough, former Dover mayor

Joseph M. McDonough, 87, of Dover, originally from South Boston, Mass., passed peacefully at home into eternal life Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016.

Joe was the youngest of nine brothers and sisters, and son of John and Mary McDonough of Galway Bay, Ireland.

Young Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Army and after his service, Joe worked days and studied nights until he graduated from Suffolk University in Boston with a degree in accounting. Mr. McDonough worked a full career at General Foods, which relocated his family to Dover in 1964. After retirement, Joe worked briefly in real estate and then 10 years in the State Insurance Commissioner's Office. Active in politics, Joe was a member of Dover City Council, mayor of Dover and a member of Kent County Levy Court for many years. He was active in the building of the new Holy Cross Church and was proud president of and fundraiser for Mom's House, which provided free childcare for single mothers.

Joe enjoyed dining out weekly with his beloved wife Joan, stamp collecting, making homemade fudge, playing golf with his son and sons-in-law, taking walks in the woods with his grandchildren, and taking Sunday afternoon rides with his family.

Joe was a loving husband to Joan Reddy McDonough for 63 wonderful years; and loving father of daughter Anita Wood and her husband Michael of Middletown, Joanne Boyer and her husband Mark of Middletown, and their three children Bryan Boyer, Brittany Johnson and Erik Boyer, as well as Brittany's twin girls, Savannah and Grace, Laura Workman and her husband Jim of New Castle, and son Christopher McDonough and his wife Sherry of Milton, and their children Ryan and Casey.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Jan. 2, at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Cross Church in Dover, with a viewing one hour prior at the church. Burial will be at Holy Cross cemetery, following the Mass.

Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.