Gregory McDermott's Obituary
Gregory McDermott, formerly of North Star, DE, then Rehoboth Beach, DE, died October 20 at Autumn Care in Biscoe, North Carolina.
He was born October 28, 1919, in Boston, MA, where he rowed for the Riverside Boat Club. A member of the Army Reserves before WW II, he was called to active duty with the 26th Yankee Division and posted to coast watch in Wilmington, DE, where he met and married Margaret (Peggy) Presthofer. After OCS, he served in London with the Adjutant General until getting orders for jump school at Salisbury Plains with the 82nd Airborne in time to ride co-pilot on a glider into Arnhem. Post war duty included Fort Bragg, the Language School in Monterey, the Korean Conflict and occupied Japan. He left active duty as a Major in 1955, but remained with the reserves in Delaware until his retirement as a Colonel.
His civilian career included owning and operating Gregg's Esso on Capital Trail and real estate sales in Newark, DE. In 1975, he and Peggy moved McDermott Real Estate to Rehoboth and enjoyed many years at One Virginia Avenue.
Col. McDermott was active with many community organizations including Kiwanis, Sussex County Retired Officers, Rehoboth Art League, and the Art League theater group. He volunteered at All Saints Thrift Store, and was a VFW lifetime member (Lodge 7447).
Survivors include his sister Elinor Stier of Albany, NY; four daughters, Carolyn McDermott and her husband Fred Shuker, Christine McDermott, and Mary Alice McDermott, all of Moore County, North Carolina, Ellen McDermott of Greenwood, DE; son Hank McDermott of Lahaina, Hawaii; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. His wife, Peggy, died in 1998; he was also predeceased by his sisters Barbara McMillin and Jean McDermott.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, October 25, 10 AM, at St. Edmond's Catholic Church, corner of King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street in Rehoboth Beach; Father James Downes will be officiating. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Randolph County Family Crisis Center, PO Box 2161, Asheboro, NC 27204 or Northern Moore Family Resource Center, PO Box 190, Robbins, NC 27325, or to a charity of choice.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, DE.
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