Matthew
Edward McDermott passed away Sunday, May 22, 2022. His battle
with serious medical issues in recent months showed his courage and
strength in facing life challenges.
Matt
was born August 10, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late
George W. and Florence M. (Curtin) McDermott. He moved to South
Florida in 1979 and lived in Lighthouse Point, Florida for 25+
years.
A
skilled artisan, Matt was a co-owner of McDermott Tile & Marble,
a company founded with his late brother, James McDermott, in
Deerfield Beach, Florida. In recent years, Matt joined in
partnership and friendship with Joseph McMahon and together the two
have prospered at McDermott Tile.
Matt
enjoyed his summers on Lake Delavan, Wisconsin, where he summered
with his extended family for his entire life. Matt could be found
driving the boat from sunrise to sunset. Over the years, Matt
successfully taught a community of both friends and family of all
ages how to water ski.
Deeply
devout and an incredibly faithful Catholic, he was an active member
of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lighthouse Point,
Florida. Matt's family takes solace that his handiwork is still here
to enjoy around our parish as McDermott Tile & Marble installed
various projects including walkways, entryways, the Parish Hall, and
Stations of the Cross. For the past several years, Matt also
taught religious education at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic
Church.
Matt
loved following all of South Florida sports. He was an avid fan of
the Miami Dolphins and enjoyed his season tickets for nearly 30
years. He also enjoyed following the Florida (“Miami”) Marlins,
University of Miami, and Duke
basketball.
Matt
thoroughly enjoyed traveling. When not headed back and forth to
Delavan or at Deerfield Beach, Matt traveled to Dubai, Oman, Cuba,
and Bolivia, as well as to numerous states, with his cherished wife,
Alicia.
Those
left to honor his memory include his loving wife of 30+ years,
Alicia; children, Michelle McDermott, Kelly (William) Carafello; Amy
McDermott; Matthew McDermott, Jr., and Allison McDermott;
grandchildren: Erik Garcias, Kaitlyn Gross, Ella Garcias, Jacob
Gross, Annaclaire Carafello, and William Carafello, Jr.; siblings,
Sharon (Thomas) Bell of Countryside, Illinois, Timothy (Theresa)
McDermott of Oak Lawn, Illinois, Robert McDermott of Delavan,
Wisconsin, David (Joan) McDermott of Moline, and George (Heather)
McDermott of Moline; a sister-in-law, Nancy McDermott of Downer’s
Grove, Illinois, a sister-in-law, Lisa McDermott of Rock Island,
Illinois; numerous nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and
cousins.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James McDermott;
brother William McDermott; and two nieces, Anne Marie Bell, and Erin
Blader. May they rest in peace.
In
lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to Women of Grace, a Catholic
apostolate championed by Alicia and held close to Matt’s heart:
