Daniel K. "Dan" Mcdermott

Daniel "Dan" Kerston McDermott, 64, passed on to eternal life on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in his home in Loves Park. Dan was born to Dolores and Gerald McDermott on October 22, 1951, in Dubuque, Iowa, the second of four children. He completed grade school at St. Patrick’s School in Rockford before graduating from Boylan High School in May, 1969. Dan and his family moved to Rockford in 1958, and was very active in sports, receiving the St. Patrick’s School Athletic Merit Award for playing 5th and 6th grade football undefeated and unscored upon, but baseball was his best sport, representing Rockford in the Junior World Series in August, 1964. He played on the Rockford National League Junior Pony All-Stars. The following year they made a second trip to the World Series.
After High School Dan completed a course at RVC before attending the University of Texas in El Paso. He was employed at Elco Industires, Inc., Quaker Oats and Green Giant.
He began fishing with Dad and Grandpa McDermott when he was about 4 years old and it became a life-long passion right up to the time of his death. He loved to fish with his brothers, Mike and Kevin and was dubbed “The Walleye Wizard” by Mike. We think he may be fishing with the great fisherman, Simon Peter, in Heaven, perhaps giving him some pointers!
He suffered with serious health issues for much of his life, but persevered and stayed loving and kind. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Francis “Bud” McDermott and Marcella McDermott, and maternal grandparents, Louis Tinneas Olson and Cora Olson. He is also preceded by numerous aunts and uncles and his two first cousins, the Peterson boys.
He leaves to grieve his loving parents, Dolores and Gerald McDermott, brothers, Mike (Barb) McDermott, Kevin (Cathy) McDermott and sister Sue (John) Mroz; nephews, Michael (Natalie), Joe (Amber), and Steve (Jennifer) McDermott, Tyler Atchley, Dan (Rachel) Mroz, and Luke McDermott; nieces Amie (Toru) Nogami, Theresa McDermott, Kelly (Ron) Swanson, Sarah McDermott, Emily McDermott and Tasha (Alex LaSala) Atchley and 16 great nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, April 11, 2016, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with his nephew,.Reverend Dr. Michael McDermott officiating.. Visitation will be Monday, April 11, 2016, from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Special thanks to Dave Gomel and the staff at Rosecrance Health Network for all of their support through the years. Memorials may be made in Dan’s name to Rosecrance Health Network, 1021 N. Mulford Rd. Rockford. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.