Charles James "Chick" McDermott

Charles "Chick" McDermott of Sykesville, beloved husband, father, "Grandpa," and "Papa Chick," passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the age of 85. Chick was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 23, 1940, to the late Charles and Margaret Veronica (O'Hara) McDermott. He was raised in Throggs Neck in the Bronx with his four siblings. He was an altar boy at Saint Patrick's Cathedral and attended Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary for 3 years. In his final year, he attended Saint Helena's High School in the Bronx. Chick graduated from Manhattan College in 1961, where, as a 6'7" freshman, he played both basketball and baseball. After college, Chick began his career with the Social Security Administration, first in New York City, then in Woodlawn until his retirement in 1995. During the 1970's, he helped to program and implement the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) system. Throughout his career, he made and cherished lifelong friends.
Chick was a devoted husband of 62 years to Mary Anne (Hohn) McDermott. They got married in the Bronx in 1962 and later settled in Sykesville. Together, they celebrated their Irish heritage, combined their generosity of spirit, and practiced their deep and abiding faith. They found joy and love in one another and in the life they created together.
Chick was an avid golfer, a poet, a singer, a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, a scrabble player, and a horse racing enthusiast. Above all, he was a devoted family man, beloved husband, father, grandpa, papa chick, brother, uncle, and friend. He was so very dearly loved.
Surviving in addition to his wife are sons and daughters-in-law Patrick and Tamera (Hartzog) McDermott of Panama City, FL; Timothy and Gracelyn (Ashby) McDermott of Glen Dale; and Kevin and Nam (Phiyachai) McDermott of Lutherville; daughters and sons-in-law Maureen and Jerry Heim of Mount Airy, Anne and Patrick Dugan of Frederick, and Nora and Laddie Castro of Fawn Grove, PA; along with 19 grandchildren and spouses: Brittney and Lee Quick, Brooke and Jeremy Cotton, Mary and Bubba McCants, and Sarah McDermott; Amanda and Kyla McDermott; Melissa, Nicole, and Brianna Heim; Corey, Riley, Teague, Reid, Trinity, and Katie Dugan; Teddy, Sophie, and Jacob Castro; and Nat; as well as 13 great-grandchildren: Maverick, Madison, Grady, Dylan, Norah, Elizabeth, Jayce, Ruby, Christian, Bexley, Kaiden, Leyla, and the late Charlotte Claire. He also leaves behind siblings: Sister Nancy McDermott, a Sister of the Congregation de Notre Dame; David McDermott; Margaret (McDermott) Lynch; and Joseph McDermott, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 9:30-11 AM on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104. Also on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the same location, a catholic funeral mass we be held at 11 AM, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bridging Life Dove House, c/o: Development Office, 200 Memorial Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157, or Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104.