Obituary of James Michael Dermody

James Michael Dermody passed away peacefully in Pensacola, FL on August 26th, 2024. A 91 year life well lived.

 

He was born to John and Catherine Dermody on April 2, 1933 in the Bronx, NY. From great adventures as a young boy at Yankee Stadium to a bit of straightening out by the brothers at St. Raymond’s, Jim was off and running at a young age. The Dermody family later moved to Bennington, Vermont and upon graduating from Bennington High School, he enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War. Jim served honorably and was awarded The Soldiers Medal for heroism after pulling a fellow airman from a burning plane in 1954. He would later credit the structure, discipline and honor of serving his country with changing the trajectory of his life.

 

Jim loved aviation and continued flying as a navigator in the Vermont Air National Guard while using the GI Bill to attend St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont. It just so happened there was a women's college down the road and one evening he met a young lady named Ann (Berry), the rest as they say is history. Jim and Ann were married at St. Peters Church in Vergennes, VT on December 26, 1960 and enjoyed over 64 years of adventures together.

 

Jim continued as an Air Force reservist officer until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1984. His professional career with the Federal Aviation Agency began with a telegram offering him a position in Washington D.C. as an Air Traffic Control Specialist on April 16, 1962. He had an amazing 34 year career with the FAA including assignments in D.C., Alaska, Oklahoma and ultimately as a leader of the Great Lakes Region in Des Plaines, Illinois. He loved traveling the nation in service of aviation and had friends all around the country. Jim especially enjoyed his many fun years representing the FAA at the annual EAA air show in Oshkosh, WI.

 

Jim and Ann enjoyed a long and wonderful retirement traveling between their beloved home on Lake Champlain in Vermont and their special condo at the Aliki in Flagler Beach, FL. Jim enjoyed many years of softball with his friends in Flagler and loved golfing, especially later in life with his late brother Tom. While in Vermont, he loved his morning Coffee Klatch crew at the West Addison General Store, golfing at Basin Harbor, strawberry pancakes (extra whip cream) at The Halfway House and fun times with family at the lake. He was also well known for his colorful and poignant letters to the editor, some of which occasionally found their way into the Daytona News Journal and other publications.

 

Jim was a wonderful Father and Grandfather, he is survived by his children, Kim (Joe) Butzen and Kevin (Colleen) Dermody whom he was always there for and his grandchildren Sean Dermody, Ryan Dermody, Kevin Butzen and Connor Butzen.

 

Nothing was quite like a family reunion on Dermody Road in Bennington, Vermont. When the brothers and sisters got going it was an epic time with no shortage of loud stories and laughter! Jim is survived by his siblings, Terry (Susy) Dermody, Margaret Pendergast, Kathy (Jim) Nohe and Mary Dermody. He is enjoying the 19th hole in the sky with his late brother Tom Dermody.

 

Jim is also survived by several nieces and nephews and last year took great pride in being able to witness via Zoom the promotion of his niece and Goddaughter Sarah Albrycht to the rank of General in the United States Army.

 

During the last several years of his life, Jim expressed his gratitude on numerous occasions for the many caregivers who assisted him including At Home Senior Care and Addison Home Health and Hospice in Vermont, Cedarhurst in Illinois and the wonderful combination of the staff at The Blake and People’s Hospice in Pensacola, FL.

 

Jim was full of life, and will be remembered for his smile, stories and strong character. He will be honored by family and friends at a date to be determined in the  summer of 2025 with a mass and celebration of his life at his home on Lake Champlain.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jim Dermody to the following:

1. Fisher House at https://connect.fisherhouse.org/campaign/James-Dermody-memorial
2. Friends of Veterans at https://fovvtnh.org/donate-to-fov/

 

 

 

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