John F. McDermott, Sr., 82, of Palm Coast, Fl passed away Thursday, October 29th at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton, NJ. Born in Philadelphia, he was a Ewing Township, NJ resident for many years before retiring to Florida. A US Marine Corp veteran, John served from May, 1945 through August, 1946 and was Mayor of Beverly, NJ from1960 to 1966. In 1996 he retired as Philadelphia District Director of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and continued serving as an active arbitrator after moving to Florida. In his earlier years, John was a champion featherweight Golden Glove Boxer.

Predeceased by his wife, Nora, he is survived by his four children and their spouses, John and Eileen McDermott, Thomas and Susan McDermott, Eileen and Ralph Lubosco and Patricia and Smith Purdum; six grandchildren; one great grandchild and John's companion, Davida McCaffrey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30am, Monday, November 2nd at St. John's Church, 1282 Yardville Road, Allentown. Interment will follow in Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown. Friends may call Monday from 9-11am at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St. Allentown.