William P. McDermott

William McDermott, was born on February 25, 1929, in Morristown, NJ, to James and Margaret (Connolly) McDermott.  In 1931, the family moved to East Newark, where they resided until 1941 when they relocated to Arlington, NJ.

Bill is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Mary; his brothers, Joseph, James, John; also, by his son, Bill, Jr.  He is survived by his children and their spouses, Jane and John White, of New Britain, PA, and  Paul and Judy, of San Diego, CA,  also, by six grandchildren: Paul, of Austin TX, John of Ithaca, NY, Sarah White, of Philadelphia, Jessica and Paul of San Diego, CA, and William III of Madison WI.  In addition, four great grandchildren: Colin, Charlotte, Gavin, and Griffin White.

Bill graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep in 1946.  He received his BS in Social Studies from St. Peter’s College in 1950, and his MA in Education in 1956 from Seton Hall University.

In 1951, he entered the US Army.  After graduating from Office Candidate School, he married Mary Mac Fadyen.  They moved to Fort Knox, KY, where they lived until he received his orders for Korea.  While serving with the 25th Division, he was awarded the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, and the Purple Heart.  He was discharged from the Army as a 1st Lieutenant, Infantry, in May 1954.

Bill began his professional career in September, 1954.  The family moved to Middletown Township, where he joined the faculty of the high school.  He taught in the social studies department, and also served as a guidance counselor.  In 1961, Bill was appointed as guidance director of the yet-to-be-opened Raritan High School.  He remained in that capacity for 28 years.

Bill was a parishioner of St. James RC Catholic in Red Bank, and served as an Extraordinary Minister.  Upon his retirement in 1989, he became active in the daily Holy Communion Program at Riverview Medical Center.  He served as the coordinator of that ministry for 24 years.

Visitation will take place at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, from 3 to 5 PM and 7 to 9 PM on Friday, January 4th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. James RC Church in Red Bank at 10 AM on Saturday, January 5th, with interment following the Mass at Mt. Olivet in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Bill’s memory to Birthright, PO Box 202 in Red Bank, NJ  07701.