HOPEWELL JUNCTION – John Joseph McSweeney, a local area resident since 2002 and formerly of Long Island and the Bronx, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, March 8, 2021. He was 84.
Son of the late William and Kathleen (Marrinan) McSweeney, he was born in Manhattan on May 30, 1936. John graduated from Manhattan Prep High School (Riverdale) in 1955.
As a member of the FDNY, he dedicated his career to public service and protection with 27 years of active service. He was stationed at Engine 83/Ladder 29 Company in the Bronx and retired in 1991 as Firefighter First Grade. In addition to the FDNY, John was also a member of the Hicksville Volunteer Fire Department (Long Island) for more than 25 years.
As a Tenor Drummer, he was a proud member of the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes and Drums band for 26 years. John was a member of several other organizations including the NYC Retired Firefighters of Orange County, Dutchess County AOH (Msgr. Sheahan Div. 1), and Bavarian Club Edelweiss Westchester. He was a parishioner of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill.
John was a storyteller with tremendous Irish wit. He was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and watching Jeopardy. He was a lover of animals, especially his dogs Lucky and Kerry, and his cats Tabatha and Ginger, all who predeceased him, as well as his current pets: Mittens, Momo, and Reese. He loved playing in the pipe band and took much pride when marching down Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick's Day. As an honorary Bavarian, he was part of the folkdance group of Bavarian Club, where he and his wife, Gloria, would perform at many fests. Gloria and John also traveled throughout the United States and Germany, Austria, and Ireland.
On April 18, 2009, he married Gloria Mayer in Hastings-on-Hudson. Gloria survives at home in Hopewell Junction.
Additional survivors include his daughter, Donna McSweeney of West Trenton, NJ; his son, William McSweeney & his fiancé Paula Campanaro of Ewing, NJ; his daughter, Deirdre McSweeney & her fiancé James Heath of Ewing, NJ; his daughter, Genevieve McSweeney-Drury of Henderson, NV; his stepdaughter, Lisa Caico of Forest Hill, MD; his stepson, Richard Fernandez of Lake Tahoe, CA; his grandchildren: Amanda, John, Nolan, James, Nathaniel, Rosemary, Peter, Alessandra, Isabella, Stephen, Elizabeth, and Christopher; his siblings: Elizabeth "May" O'Flynn, Patrick "Billy" McSweeney & his wife Eileen, and Kathleen O'Neill & her husband William; his former wife, G. Claudine McSweeney; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members including Joan and Chris O'Gorman.
John was predeceased by his parents as well as his brother-in-law, Denis O'Flynn.
The family wishes to thank John's caregivers, Agrey, Wilda, and Shaunte, for their dedication and caring. We would also like to thank Fr. Joseph Blenkle for his many prayers and spiritual support.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 14 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 15 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla.
PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with NYS guidelines, social distancing and face masks are required and capacity may be limited. All attendees should be prepared for potential extended waiting periods. Services will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.
A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Sunday, May 30th for those who cannot attend the funeral services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 (www.michaeljfox.org).
For online tributes and livestream access, you can visit John's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.