Eugene T. McDermott

McDermott, Eugene T.
Feb. 10, 1929 - Jun. 17, 2015
Longtime Venice resident Gene McDermott died at home on June 17, 2015 with his loving wife by his side. Born February 10, 1929 in Manhattan, Gene was predeceased by his parents, Frances (Miller) and Leo McDermott, and his brother, Edward McDermott. After attending Xavier High School in New York, then Georgetown University by working for the Merchant Marines, traveling to exotic locations such as Egypt and Iran. In July 1949, he enrolled in a program of intensive language training at the University of Fribourg. He returned to the US, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from Columbia University in 1951, and joined the Air Force July 11, 1951. He attended Syracuse University US Air Force Institute of Technology in 1952. Fluent in English, Russian, French, and Italian. Gene was posted to the United States Air Force signal intelligence operations (SIGINT) base of the 6940th Radio Squadron at Chicksands England/ RAF. There he intercepted Russian radio traffic as part of the Cold War collection unit, passing information to the Bletchley Park operations. He was honorably discharged in May 1955. Met and married his wife of 60 years Barbara in 1954. Returned to New York where he worked for the NYSE until 1974. When he and Barb moved to Venice Florida. Gene and his wife got their real estate license in 1980, and Gene enjoyed fishing, shrimping and investing in the stock market. Gene is survived by his wife , Barbara, his brother's wife, Doris McDermott, his niece Nancy Gandolfo, her husband John, their children Jeanine and Christopher, and their spouses and children, his nephew Michael McDermott, his wife Mary and their children, Erin, Shawn, Kevin, and Ryan, and his niece Judy Mahoney, her husband Danny, and their children Kate and Jimmy. The family will receive friends from 6pm - 8pm Monday, June 22, 2015 at Toale Brothers Ewing Chapel, 140 East Venice Ave Venice Florida. A graveside service will be at 10:30 at the Sarasota National on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Loveland Center, or to the Suncoast Humane Society. The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, and kindness shown to them during this hour of bereavement..