Birth date: Mar 10, 1922 Death date: Jan 12, 2007
McDermott, Harry J., 84 of St. Petersburg died Friday, January 12, 2007 at Northside Hospital and heart Institute. He moved here in 1963 from his native Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1984 he moved to Boise, Idaho and in January of 2007 mov Read Obituary
Dad, We love you & miss you very much! Thank you for spending your last special days with us. Love always!
PS As a birthday present to you on what would have been your 85th birthday, I quit smoking. Happy Birthday & please keep giving me the strength to stick with it! Love you so much, Cheryl
We think of Harry often. We were so glad that we got to visit with Harry before he left Idaho. Harry will always live on in our hearts.
I met Harry for the first time at Companions Animal Hospital, I had just taken over the reception position there and Harry was taking care of his beloved dog Clancy. Harry let me know right away that he like Paula, the lady I was taking her place, better. At first I was of afraid of him. He told me he liked dogs and children but he could live without adults. Well, I decided that I would make him like me. I needed to find common ground and that was the apartments where he lived. I worked a second job at the long term care facility that was part of the organization that owned the apartments where Harry lived. The next thing we had in common was Clancy, his beloved old black poodle. You see, Harry needed help in giving Clancy his medications and that is where I came in. I would go over after work and give Clancy his medication but a funny thing happened. I went there determined to make Harry like me, but I left his home that first day in awe of him. He became my friend and hero. When it was time for him to make the hard decision to put Clancy down, I was working that day. My heart broke for him and his loss and I worried how he would make it without his trusted companion. There is so much more to this story of how one old man, an old dog and new receptionist became friends. One day as I was in the activity room of the long term care facility where I work when I recognized a voice, I turned and saw that it was Harry. He's own health had become a challenge for him. I know that he would have like nothing better than to have stayed in his apartment but circumstances had him at Boise Samaritan Village. I was grateful that I could help in some small way to make his recovery a little less lonely. I will always remember Harry as a hero to children that needed a little extra love and attention, and as the man who loved animals and children with all of his heart.
~I regret that I did not make more of an effort to get to know you better, and now I am left wishing I had more time. We met twice and I quickly realized where the sense of humor in our family came from. I know that will carry on. I am truly sad that I did not get to develop the realtionship you had with so many children, but it warms my heart to know your love and time was not wasted. You will be a very busy Angel, but please remember me, as I always will you. I am so proud you are my Grandpa............
Love, ~Kristal~
and great-grandaughters Isabelle, Savannah, & Richelle (Aunt Cheryl & Uncle Lou, Everyone appreciates you taking care of things. The tribute is really nice...Hope u are doing better...Miss Ya!)
After not seeing my father in 30 years it was nice to have him at my house two times and get to know him. I wish I could have seen him one more time so he could have picked on the special lady in my life.
Cheryl and family,
I just viewed the tribute and it is beautiful. I loved seeing the picutres of Harry as a young professional and then as a Foster Grandparent!
Grandpa Harry will be greatly missed by the Foster Grandparent Program. Harry was such a positive influence and inspiration to many children and adults.
To Cheryl, Rick, Kim, and well all of you. I send my condolences, and good thoughts to you. My dad, Jim, is in an assisted living place now. He is the last of his and moms family. Pray for him. Love to you all, Karen
Grandpa I miss you so much I wish I could have seen you again before you past.. and I also wish that you could have seen my first born... but I'm glad you at least heard the news.... I love you and will never forget you. I will be with you again someday! I love you! Love your favorite granddaughter ~*Kay*~
Dad, This is your baby of the 7. For 40 yrs. I always wondered about my Dad. And in the last 6 yrs I have gotten my closure I needed. Meeting you and getting to know you really made me proud. You've made an impression on so many lives. They all love you, and I'm glad to be one of them. Been so great having a Dad after all this time and wish it could have been longer but the memories I have (and my girls have) are really great ones. Sure will miss you, and I love you! Kim
