John F. McElduff

John McElduff, a longtime resident of Beacon, passed away peacefully at home on January 1, 2023 at 88 years old. Three things were of utmost importance to John: faith, family, and friends. He also had a deep love for the City of Beacon, the Jersey Shore, and his Irish heritage. He will be remembered most for the twinkle in his eye, his gift of gab, and his love for a good joke.
John was born on August 8, 1934 in Teaneck, New Jersey, the son of the late Michael and Mary Bree McElduff. He attended St. Patrick's High School until his father's passing. He later graduated from Beacon High School and was an honorary graduate of St. Patrick's, an honor bestowed upon him by his classmates and friends. John proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was discharged in 1957. On April 19, 1958 he married his beloved wife, the former Suzanne Hannon, who survives John at home.
John worked as an Arnold Bread Distributor for many years. He was also employed by Vassalo Landscape Management and as a Toll Collector on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge until his retirement. He was a parishioner of St. Joachim – St. John the Evangelist Church. He was a Past Grand Knight of Trinity Council #445 Knights of Columbus and a lifelong member of the Southern Dutchess Country Club.
John was passionate about restoring Main Street in Beacon to what he remembered as a boy working in his father's shops. John served two terms on the Beacon City Council, first as Commissioner of Public Safety then as At-Large Commissioner. He ably assisted Suzanne, who was proprietor of the Card Shop on Main Street, and represented their interests as business owners as an officer in the Beacon Business Association. His work in government and with the BBA helped make Beacon the envy of the Hudson Valley and beyond.
In addition to his wife, John is survived by his children, Jeanne Scoba, Judy McAndrew and husband, Bob, Ellen Versprille and husband, Hank, John McElduff and wife, Carole, Patrick McElduff and wife, Kathy, Daniel McElduff and wife, Heather and Luke McElduff; his 19 grandchildren, Kate, Patrick, Eliza (and her fiancé Will), Molly, Anne, Sam, Megan (and her husband Nick), Deirdre, Jake, Nora, Marta (and her fiancé A.J.), Claire, Jack, Sheila, Gracie, Colleen, Rory, Hayden and Erin; his sisters, Anne Schultz and Kate Huber; his many nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his brothers Michael, Patrick, Jerry, and Danny; his sister, Mary Browne; his sisters-in-law Peggy, Ann, Ursula, and Anita; his brothers-in-law, Jimmy Browne, William Schultz, and Gene Huber; and his son-in-law Peter Scoba.
The family is forever grateful to his caregivers, especially Millie, Charlene, Ann-Marie, Angela, Wanda, and Izzy.
Family and friends will gather on Thursday, January 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, 2 Beekman Street, Beacon. Members of the Knights of Columbus will hold a service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 13 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 Willow Street, Beacon. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Joachim Cemetery, Beacon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of John may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601.
To send a personal condolence please visit www.riverviewbyhalvey.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Patrick J. Halvey of Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, LLC.