Hugh C. Mcdermott

Hugh C. McDermott, 91, long time resident of Mayfair, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 19, 2021 with his family by his side.
Hugh was born in Inisclan, Mountfield, Omagh in County Tyrone, Ireland at the beginning of the Great Depression. He was the eldest of twelve children. His parents Hugh McDermott and Bridget Daly were farmers and raised livestock. Hugh loved working the fields and taking care of the animals and his favorite daily task was going up into the mountains with his father to herd the sheep. Sadly, Hugh lost his father at the age of thirteen forcing him to end his formal schooling and propelling him into the role of the family patriarch, a role which he would hold for the next eight decades.
Hugh immigrated to the United States in December 1949 at the age of 19. One week after his arrival to Philadelphia he began to work for Food Fair Markets, the company where he would work for the next 30 years as a Butcher.
He loved playing Gaelic football and shortly after his arrival, he helped organize the first Philadelphia Tyrone Gaelic Football Club team. Within two years, he joined the U.S. Army, fought in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded several medals for bravery including three Bronze Stars. In 1954 he met the love of his life Mary Egan from Knock, Co Mayo at a Gaelic football match. They married in September 1960, bought the home where he still lived and had five daughters and one son. They were married for 34 happy years when Mary passed suddenly and sadly so have three of their daughters. Hugh also has five granddaughters and two son-in-laws who adore him. Throughout his lifetime, Hugh was very active in the Philadelphia Irish Community. In addition to his affiliations with the Tyrone GAA Football Club, he was a member of the Tyrone Society, Irish Northern Aid, Ancient Order of Hibernians, MacSwiney Club and Clan Na Gael, as well as an original shareholder for the Commodore Barry Club. Hugh was a man of great integrity and strong conviction. His life's passion was to see the land of his birth united and at peace. Hugh dedicated his life to his family and his country. He was a truly warm and kind soul and will be dearly missed.
Loving husband of (late) Mary Katherine McDermott (nee Egan). Devoted father of (late) Marie, Geralynn, (late) Kathleen, Deirdre McDermott-O'Neill (William), (late) Paula Berg (Rob), and Hugh McDermott. Dear brother of (late) Harry (Bernadette), (late) Mick (Cathy), Rosaleen (John), (late) Peter, (late) Jimmy (Patsy), (late) Kathleen (Harry), Regina (John), John, Celine (Tom), Laura (John), and Liam (Mary). Grandfather of Collette, Caitlin, Meghan, Kelly, and Briana. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing Thursday March 25, 2021 at John F. Fluehr & Sons Inc. 3301 Cottman Ave. Phila, PA 19149 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm; again Friday, March 26, 2021 from 8:00 - 9:1 5am at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Bernard Church 7341 Cottage St., Phila., PA 19136 starting at 10:00 am. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery.