Joseph "Mickey" McDermott

Joseph "Mickey" McDermott, age 74, of Atlanta, Georgia, formerly of Melbourne, Florida and Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 7, 2023.He was born on January 23, 1949 to Margaret and Joseph McDermott in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. All of the McDermott's were very proud of their Irish heritage. As a child, Mickey loved playing and watching baseball. As a student at Our Mother of Good Counsel parish school in Bryn Mawr, Mickey grew up in the Catholic faith. Mickey joined the Marine Corps after high school and fought bravely in the Vietnam War and received a Purple Heart medal. He was proud of being a Marine and continued to serve his country in various capacities throughout his life.
After coming home from the Vietnam War, Mickey attended Biscayne College in Florida and graduated from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. He worked in law enforcement in Miami Beach and went on to earn a graduate degree from the University of Arizona.
Mickey worked for the Federal government for over 30 years, first as an auditor at the General Accountability Office and then rising to Inspector General status before he retired. He testified before Congress and took meetings at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill. His job took him around the world, even extended postings in Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and around the Middle East. He was proud of the work he did as Special Inspector General during the Iraq Reconstruction. He was forever following the money and rooting out corruption and financial waste. He was a well respected officer and friend to many around the world.
Mickey loved the outdoors and took a keen interest in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) while living in the D.C. metro area and became Vice President of the organization. He also developed a love of fishing and canoeing. He loved the Eagles and Phillies and attended their Spring Training games.
Mickey spent much of his retirement years volunteering for the local fire department in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania where he acted as a board member. He was a long time member of Bryn Mawr Fire Company since the age of 18. He became interested in search and rescue operations and got to know the first responders. During the holidays, he loved dressing as Santa at the firehouse and visited friends on Christmas Eve. Mickey was proud to be a Marine Corps veteran and supported veteran organizations including the PVA and the Fisher House. When not at home on Florida's Space Coast, he enjoyed driving up I-95 to spend time with family and taking long train rides. With all his travels, Mickey always made time to visit Bryn Mawr to spend time with friends and family. He also enjoyed sharing a glass of his favorite Macallan scotch as well. With everything Mickey did in his life, his favorite role was being a grandfather, "Baba Joe."
Mickey's memory will be cherished by his son, Joseph Woo McDermott; daughter, Marie Au and her husband, Dan; granddaughter, Hazel Au; grandson, Corey Au; companion, Kathleen Mullin; brother, Michael McDermott and his wife, Maureen; sister, Nancy McDermott Wallace and her husband, Ed; and other extended family members and friends. He is preceded by his parents, Joseph and Margaret McDermott, and sister, Eileen McDermott Newell.
Services are pending.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mickey's memory to support Fisher House in Augusta, Georgia at (706) 729-5773 or (https://fisherhouse.org/programs/houses/current-houses/georgia-charlie-norwood-va-medical-center/) Fisher House supports Veteran families with housing while undergoing hospitalization.