John C. McDONOUGH

Age 65 of St. Paul Passed away on May 3, 2022 John grew up on Sherwood Ave near Lake Phalen in the 1960s and 70s. He was the second of six children born to Anthony and Gloria (Berguetski) McDonough. He was also the second of three sons born in close succession. John joined the family in 1956, 11 months after his big brother, Jim, and was followed 11 months later by his younger brother, Tom. Then came three little sisters. John was truly a middle child - in all the best possible ways. With his dad being a former Marine and his mom, a Lutheran, John developed discipline, fortitude and a strong work ethic whether he wanted to, or not. However, when given the choice of trumpet or accordion for 4th grade band, his true inner-middle child shone through, and John chose the squeeze-box. He learned to play a Polka, or two, and most likely, was the first Eastside kid to learn to play the Marine's Hymn on the accordion that year in band. It was also at Farnsworth Elementary School where John met his life-long 'friends-in-crime', Jeff Anderson and Glenn Nordehn. From Eastside kids to nearing retirement their lives were interwoven through good times and bad. John was independent, inventive, intelligent and could adapt easily to any situation. He was infamous among his siblings for always stating the obvious, "You'll get over it". John loved adventure. While living in Chile, South America for three months as an AFS Student in the summer of 1973, John witnessed the overthrow of the Chilean government by a military coup. He may, or may not, have been arrested as a 17-year-old kid for having rocks in his pocket and a camera around his neck. John was a proud member of the 1974 graduating class of Johnson High School, as well as a proud member of the 1978 graduating class of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. While a student at Gustavus, John traveled many weekends back and forth to the Cities to tend bar at the Chain Link and the North End Depot. It was at the North End Depot where John met the love of his life, Shelly Miller. It's been said she was the 'wingman' to her 'friend with a crush on the cute bartender'. Married in 1981, John and Shelly wasted no time in creating adventures for their family of two, moving first to Houston, Texas and then on to many other states including, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia, and Tennessee. John's greatest treasures are his sons, Ryan, born in 1987, and Jake, born in 1994. John's work took him away from home at times, but he always sought to find time for family, vacations and little league soccer coaching. When speaking of his sons, John's eyes light up with joy and the smile on his face was contagious drawing closer to him whomever he was sharing 'proud dad' moments. John died unexpectedly on May 3, 2022, at home in his 'trial pre-retirement' pad in Orlando, Fl. John was preceded in death by his dad, Anthony, brother, Tom, and just weeks ago, his loving mom, Gloria. He is survived by his wife of almost 41 years, Shelly (Miller) McDonough and his sons, Ryan Miller McDonough and wife, Alex, and Jackson John 'Jake' McDonough.. John will be deeply missed by his siblings who admired him greatly, Jim (Carol) McDonough, Linda (Mike Kloos) McDonough, Karen (Willie Backes) McDonough and Lori (Mike) Dvorak, along with many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and a boatload of nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Anderson Funeral Home, Saint Paul, MN. Visitation from 2:00 - 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Friends of Patients at the NIH, https://www.friendsatnih.org/.