John M. Danahy, had notable military career

John M. Danahy, son of Rita Thurston Danahy and Raymond J. Danahy, was born June 15, 1944, in Buffalo, N.Y. He graduated in 1958 from St. Bonaventure Elementary, in 1962 from Bishop Timon High School, and in 1966 from the University of Buffalo with a BS in education. After teaching in the West Seneca (NY) School District, he began a long and distinguished career in the Air Force, retiring as a major general.

He received numerous medals and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism, in risking his life to evacuate and save hundreds of innocent civilian refugees during the Vietnam War. John was a pilot with over 6,000 hours piloting military aircraft and over 14,000 hours flying commercial jets for Eastern and United Airlines.

John was a loving husband, father and grandfather and is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Janice (Dawson) Danahy of The Villages, Fla. Predeceased by daughter Coleen Hullinger, John is also survived by her children Erin, Ian, Aiden, Owen and Austin of Utah, and great-grandchildren Lyla and Alice; daughter Kelly and her children Blaise and Katie of Richmond, Va.; and son Kevin and wife Brittany, and their two children McKenna and Shea of Rehoboth Beach. John is survived by five brothers, Paul, Dan, Tom, Terry and Jim Danahy, and sister Mary Pat Morrison, and their families.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday Jan. 21, from St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 5323 E. County Road 462, Wildwood, Fla., followed by honors at the National Military Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell, Fla., and then a Celebration of John’s life to be held at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, 3560 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages.