John McDermott's Obituary
John Edmund McDermott "Jack", age 68, of Lorain, passed away suddenly, Monday, January 2, 2012 at his home.
He was born on February 21, 1943 in Amherst, Ohio to Joseph and Margaret (nee Mackin) McDermott. He graduated from Lorain St. Mary Catholic High School in 1961 and The Ohio State University in 1964, majoring in Business.
Jack made his career as a Sports Writer, beginning with the Lorain Journal in1968 until 1978. He then went on to write for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, retiring in 2006 after 28 years of employment with them. During the course of his career, he received several writing awards, but none that were overly important to him. He enjoyed and appreciated the honors, but never made it a big deal. There was nothing more important to Jack than spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was active in CYO Athletics and a supporter of the American Cancer Society and the Special Olympics.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, MaryKay (nee Walker); son, John (Trina), of Lorain; daughters, Kris (Adrian)Higgins, of Hilliard, OH, Molly McDermott, of Amherst, and Katy (Todd) Smith, of Clyde, OH; mother, Margaret McDermott (nee Mackin); grandchildren, Kaleigh, Meghan, Gabriel, Johnny, Brian, Christian, Andrew,Adrian, Jacalyn and Joleigh; sisters, Mary (Bob) Nowicki, of North Ridgeville and Jean (Jerry) Berens, of Avon; brother, Michael (Pat) McDermott.
The family suggest donations be made in memory of Jack to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis,TN 38105, stjude.org, or Autism Speaks, 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250, Los Angeles, CA 90036, autismspeaks.org.
Private funeral services were conducted. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center.
Online condolences may be left for the McDermott family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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