John J. Gavin

Gavin, John J. SCHENECTADY John J. Gavin, 84, of Schenectady, entered into eternal life on Friday, July 4, 2008 at Ellis Hospital with his beloved family by his side. Born August 5, 1923 in Huntington, N.Y., he attended St. Joseph's School in Troy and was a graduate of LaSalle Institute. John was the beloved husband of 58 years to Grace Harrigan Gavin and brother to the late Rita Sheeran. Mr. Gavin flew as a mech /tail gunner with the Marine Bombing Squadron in the Marshall Islands during World War II. He was employed with G.E. for 43 years and was a graduate from the G.E. Apprentice Drafting /Design and Creative Design Program. Mr. Gavin worked as a senior designer on large hydroelectric generators, hydrogen filled condensers, and the pulse generator for the Princeton Tokomak Project with one patent. John enjoyed golf, woodworking, bird watching, astronomy, gardening and mostly trailer camping in state and national parks and Galway Lake with his loving wife and six children. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children, Kathy (Bob) Dillon of Schenectady, Jack Gavin of Saratoga, Alice (Andrew) Stasky of East Greenbush, Patty (Cliff) Goggins of Clifton Park, Therese (Joe) Mack of Schenectady, and Thomas (Priscilla) Chapman Gavin; grandfather of Brendan (Becky), Erin (Neal), C.J., Ryan (Cassie), Colleen, Kelly, Zoe, and Michael; great-grandfather of Madison and Ryan; also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. from the Wm. Leahy Funeral Home, 336 3rd St., Troy and 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Family and friends are invited and may call on Monday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations in John's memory would be appreciated and may be made to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Rd., Irondale, AL 35210 - 2164. or Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, 5821 Old Leeds Rd., Irondale, AL 35210.