Maurice J. Mcdermott, Jr.

BARRE - It is with great sadness that the family of Maurice James McDermott, Jr. “Monty” announces his passing on March 31, 2024, at the age of 90.  Monty died unexpectedly at the UVM Medical Center surrounded by his beloved daughters.

Born on February 26, 1934, in Montpelier, he was the son of  Maurice James  and Annette (Ferguson) McDermott Sr. Monty lived his entire life as a proud Vermonter.  He was blessed to have had a loving and special relationship with his stepmother, Elsie McDermott. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1952, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and American Legion baseball.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April of 1952, just after his 18th birthday, with his best friend Charlie Jerd and served 4 years as an electrician and aircraft radio operator.  He was on the U.S. Navy Basketball team playing all over the world to entertain the troops.  Upon return to Vermont, he started his lifelong career working for the US Postal Service and was a well-known mailman to so many in the City of Montpelier.  He was afforded the pleasure of lunch with his father or a good friend every day while on his mail route.  He ended his career in 1990 as the Postmaster of Adamant, VT.    Monty did it all - he excelled at many sports throughout his life, he was an avid and skilled golfer who was a member of the Montpelier Elks Golf Club and the Barre Country Club.  He and his beloved wife Madeline had a passion for golf that will be carried on by all his grandchildren.  Monty played on the Thrush Tavern Softball team where he was known for his love of the game and fun-loving banter with all opponents.  He started the first Vermont Dart League, traveled to many clubs to compete and held the championship title for many years.  He was also an avid bowler and archer.  He spent countless hours fishing in lakes, ponds and brooks with friends and his daughters. He enjoyed ice fishing all winter and deer hunting at his camp on Coles Pond, where he spent many summers with his family.  In his later years, he enjoyed hunting from his deer stand in Berlin.

Monty prided himself as a devoted Red Sox fan, he recounted his most thrilling moments sitting in the dugout with his press passes to all he knew.  His vanity plates displayed the love of his favorite team: MY SOX, BOSOX, SOX and he always wore red socks throughout the baseball season.

He coached Little League Baseball, Babe Ruth and American Legion Baseball.  He served on the Montpelier Recreation board and created a course to teach people how to shoot archery.  He was the Commander at the American Legion in Montpelier and the Lodge Secretary at the Montpelier Elks for many years, where he volunteered in community service helping others.

Monty’s love of life was apparent with daily trips to his clubs, enjoying maple creemees, and beautiful drives along old Vermont roads.  He always loved a challenge, still attending exercise class, playing sudoku, bingo and at 90 years old, his cornhole record was 84 -6.  He was still occasionally getting on the golf course and was proudly learning how to use an iPad. He was living a full life amongst his many new friends at Chestnut Place in Berlin where he will forever be missed.

Above all else, he was a wonderful person whose loving, humble spirit will live on in the hearts of his family and friends, who know that he has hit a Grand Slam and finally got his hole in one in his eternal resting place.

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

He was predeceased by his wife Madeline (Camire) whom he married in 1991, they will now be reunited in eternal peace.  An adored father, he will live on in the memories of his daughters Jill McDermott and her husband, Jeffrey Schultz of Montpelier, VT and St. Augustine, FL;  Teri Hebb and her husband, Arthur of Hadley, MA;  Holly McDermott and her husband, Jeff Ferris of Montpelier, VT;  Tracy Schroder and her husband, Joe of Woodstock, CT; Susan Burr and her partner, Mark Cicoria of Manchester, MA; and  Patricia McDermott and her fiancé, Maurice Zimmer of Derby, VT.  He will also be remembered with deep affection by his 15 grandchildren Libby McDowell, Berkeley (Ilya) Sadigurski, Bentley (AJ) Andruszkiewicz, Jason (Kara) Hebb, Samuel (Grace) Hebb, Charles (Allii) Hebb, Buck Hebb, Madison Hebb, Craig (Ashley) McDermott, Harrison (Sarah) Schroder, Molly Schroder, Phoebe Burr, R. Elliott Burr, James Burr and Kristin Burlew as well as his precious 14 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind step daughters Lyn Jones, Lori Waller, Kim Edwards, Vicky Camire and he was predeceased by Kathy Camire.

Burial services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Central Vermont Little League, Attn:  Emily Mascitti, 1689 VT RTE 14 South, East Montpelier, VT 05651.