Donald Gerard McDermott

Donald Gerard McDermott passed away peacefully, surround by his family, on January 12, 2018, after years of battling Parkinson’s disease. Don was born on April 4, 1951, in Brooklyn, NY, to Donald and Joan McDermott. The eldest of 11 children, he was always devoted to family. He married Mary Timoney on March 1, 1976. Together for 43 years, living in many places across the United States, they retired to Asheville, NC, in 2014. Don and Mary had four children and two grandchildren. He was a supportive and committed father and grandfather, setting a positive example through his kindness, courage, and strong sense of responsibility. Don gave nearly 40 years to public service. He was a paratrooper in the United States Army with combat duty in Vietnam. He then went into decades of law enforcement service, first with the New York City Police Department; then entered a long, distinguished career with the United States Border Patrol, in both California and Vermont, retiring with the rank of Assistant Chief Patrol Agent. An avid reader and lifelong learner, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1980. In 2007, Don earned a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Attending classes at night while working full time, he graduated as Valedictorian. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings; but his memory will live on with everyone whose life he impacted, which are too many to count. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Ave,. Asheville, NC 28806.