Gerald D. Mcdermott

Gerald “Jerry” D. McDermott, 89 of Rockford, departed this life here to return home to God on November 18, 2016. Jerry was born on December 13, 1926 in Dubuque, Iowa to Marcella and Francis “Bud” McDermott. He graduated from Loras Academy, where he was Captain of the Rifle Team and he was President of the Altar Boys Association. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and drove an LST 653 in the Pacific, taking U. S. troops to shore. After the War ended he drove an LST 988. He returned to Iowa to Loras College where he received his degree in Physical Chemistry. He had two brothers, Mickey (Nancy) and John “Jack (Char) McDermott and four sisters, Shirley McDermott, Marlene (Bill) Maher, Mary Alyce (Gene) Neuses and Carol Howell. He married Dolores Ann Olson, “Doly” August 31, 1948 at Nativity Church in Dubuque, Iowa. They subsequently moved to Rockford, where he accepted a position with Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceuticals. They had four children: Susan (John) Mroz, Daniel McDermott, Michael (Barb) McDermott and Kevin (Cathy) McDermott. His grandchildren are: Amie (Toru) Nogami, Theresa McDermott, Michael Jr.(Natalie) McDermott, Joe (Amber) McDermott, Steven (Jenny) McDermott, Tyler Atchley , Tasha Atchley (Alex Lasala), Dan (Rachel) Mroz, Kelly (Ron) Swanson, Sarah McDermott, Emily McDermott, Luke McDermott. His great-grandchildren are Mathew, Mamie and Mary McDermott, Aaliyah, Michaiah, Malachi McDermott, Isla and Ian McDermott, Noah, Amiya, Amelia McDermott, Ella Atchley, Liam McFadden and Christian Lasala, Joseph, Maxwell and Elizabeth Mroz and John and Samuel Swanson. He has numerous nieces and nephews.
He received numerous awards, including the Roche President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Health Services, President of NIMRA, President of the Rockford Chapter of the Dale Carnegie Speakers Course, and he received a plaque from the Northern Illinois Blood Bank for giving many, many gallons of blood over his lifetime.
Jerry was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a loving husband. He and Doly were married 68 years. He loved to take his sons fishing and hunting and encouraged his daughter to be civic- minded at a young age. The entire family loved camping together and took a great, memorable trip to the Rocky Mountains, the Badlands and even Boot Hill, when their children were young. He loved to collect stamps and was an avid reader on a variety of subjects. Dad was so much more than we can say here. He loved, counseled, and encouraged his children, and he did the best thing a father can do for his children by being devoted to our mother. She was truly the love of his life. We all will miss him so much.
He is predeceased by his parents, sisters, Shirley and Marlene and his son, Dan McDermott. The visitation will be held at Holy Family Church on N. Alpine Rd. in Rockford on Wednesday, November 23 from 9 am until 10:30 am followed by a funeral Mass at Holy Family at 10:30 am with Father Kaim officiating. Burial to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send any contributions to Rosecrance, who helped his son Dan with a lifelong illness. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, 61108 – Send online condolence at www.fitzgeraldfh.com