Ignatius McDermott Obituary

Not a day goes by I don't think of you! Picture of you with our Super Bowl tickets hangs in front of me every day! Sure miss our Sunday morning recap of all Chicago sports and your great stories of your relationships with all of the greats! You helped me out on more than one occasion, but visiting my son in the hospital everyday he was there tops the list. You did SO MUCH for so many, may you rest in eternal peace and know you will never be forgotten down here!

I know he helped my step-father who sang his praises.

Dear Fr. Mac,



Thanks for all your help for my family (Dad: Whitney, Mom: Marie and Super Nanny: Bea Hayden) and me at Our Lady of Peace. When I was 5 or 6 years old, I broke my elbow. You arranged for the top orthopedic surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital to operate and restore perfect use to my elbow. It was great seeing you again at the December 2003 OLP Class of 1951 Reunion! Till we meet again,

We met Father Mac in Lisbon, Portugal in 1977 or 78 and we kept in touch thereafter. He attended our marriage at Chicago City Hall and because of his connections we were led from the back of the line directly into the Judge's chambers! Father Mac brought a cake and sent us anniversary cards for years. When they stopped coming we had thought he had stopped living; we are sorry we hadn't been in touch recently. He was a great ebulient man!

FrMac was a great man. He helped with Project Amos to obtain justice for day laborers; many of whom were on Skid Row.

Fr. Mac is our Sogarth Aroon

Dear Monsignor, My parents Adele and Ernie Carroll have been waiting for you. I know there will be good stories for you to share. Thanks for being such a part of our family lives. You will be sorely missed. You were a saint on this earth. Your love and caring for all people will be remembered.

Our entire family will miss you Fr. Mac. Thanks for being there for all of us. Your kindness, caring, and friendship will be a part of us all until we meet again.

My Parents - Lily & Joe Lambrecht were married by Father Mac a long time ago, and he never forgot their anniversary. We all loved him so.

Grateful for the opportunity of having cared for Msgr. during his numerous hospitalizations at St. Francis over the past year. What a wonderful, caring man.

Monsignor McDermott was a classmate of my Mother at Visitation, as well as a life long friend to my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and extended family. May he rest in peace.

FR. Mac, Your life, your love, your legacy,is a true example of a follower of Christ. All who had the honor of knowing you are truly blessed.

Father Mac,

It is now time for you to rest. You have earned it.

You will be missed greatly.

Signed

Diane,Dawn and Tech Sargent Robert B. Hezlep

Dear Fr. Mac.

From your first days at Our Lady of Peace where you tormented the Nuns, and entertained we students, and our families, you have brought so much happiness and hope to so many.
"Until We Meet Again, May God Hold You In The Palm Of His Hand"

OLP Class of "51

On September 12, 2003, Father Mac was at my dad, Jim Ryan's, bedside at his condo on the NW side of Chicago. Father's driver called up to let us know that the Channel 11 special on Father Mac was about to be aired, and he figured that Father wouldn't mention it. We dragged in the TV to the room where they were, but Father Mac would't let us turn it on. He said he "didn't need to see that stuff." It was more important to be with my dad, his old police sergeant friend from "Drunk Court" days at Monroe and Racine in the 60s.



Father Mac told my dad that "God was calling his 'little boy blue' home," and gave him the last rites. When he died five days later, Mac was at the wake and the funeral. He never missed sending a cake on my dad's birthdays.



Father Mac was a part of both my parents' histories. He played basketball in high school at Visitation with my mom's brother, and he knew the Harneys well.



Father Mac is a classic hero whose imprint has been and will be left on thousands of lives. His wit and inimitable streets-and-sports lingo represent the voice of Chicago as strongly as Studs Terkel's or Mike Royko's.



It speaks of neighborhoods, ethnic identities, depression-era ethics, and a "back-of-the-yards" sensibility, most importantly, it speaks of mutual compassion and community, an ethos that is direly needed in our national culture. His life was a monument to the "greatest generation" that is almost gone, but should never be forgotten.

Dear Padre, You will be remembered for years to come and missed by many for just as long.

Monsignor McDermott 's love for the sick and afflicted of the City can never be forgotten. As chaplain at St. James Hospital, I shall pray at Mass for this great Irish Chicago priest, a friend of our godfather, and who indeed is a saint in the great tradition.

My father, a retired CPD sergeant, and his wife, were longstanding friends of Monsignor. Although "Father Mac" was about 94 at the time of my dad's death in 2003, Monsignor not only made it to my dad's wake and funeral Mass, but also, he visited him in his last hours. Monsignor is fondly remembered by our family and friends, and we are deeply proud to have been a part of his compassionate life.

You know I'll bend a knee at your grave in Mount Olivet. You have been a blessing to me and my family for many years and your name is etched in my heart and memory book forever.



You were always there for those who needed you. We thank the Lord for you. You had a kind and forgiving heart.



As I mentioned in my last thank you note, you would have made a 'wonderful husband' as you never forgot my birthday or wedding anniversaries. You were a very thoughtful man. And, my life is richer for having you as a friend.



You were truly a prince of the Church and a living saint among us and your 'footprints' will remain on earth forever.



My dear Irish friend, until we meet again may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.



Rest in Peace, for you know Mary Ellen Flynn and Ray Soucek,

will continue to carry on the work of the Mc Dermott Center, until the Lord calls them home.



Love and Prayers,

Dear Monsignor: Thank You for sharing your life with me and my family. We all love you so very much - will miss you very much. I Love YOU>

Fr. Mac,You are certainly with a bunch of 400 Hitters now and hope you have the best seat in the dugout. You deserve it.

My sincerest condolences to the family and many friends of Father Mac. Father Mac...thank you for all the love that you have given to my Uncle Tommy.

I thank Monsignor McDermott for his kindness to our family and to my deceased brother especially. At a time when we thought most all was lost and we had no where to turn for help, an angel came and sat on our shoulder and showed us the way. My brother Harry is gone now these almost 5 years, but for the kindness of Fr. McDermott I would have lost him much sooner. God gave Fr. McDermott a wonderful long life, filled with love, faith, friends from all walks of life and a legacy that will never be forgotten. We all mourn his loss. Diane Casey-Sofiakis in the name of Harry Swanson. Thank you.

Mr. and Mrs. John V. Woulfe, Jr., and sisters, Maureen, Frances Ann, and Virginia, the OLP Group loved you then, and loves you now. Gods going to get a good one!

You know I'll bend a knee at your grave in Mount Olivet. You have been a blessing to me and my family for many years and your name is etched in my heart and memory book forever.



You were always there for those who needed you. We thank the Lord

for you. You had a kind and forgiving heart.



As I mentioned in my last thank note to you, You would have made a 'wonderful husband' as you never forgot my birthday or wedding anniversaries. You were a very thoughtful man. My life is richer for having you as a friend.



You were truly a Prince of the Church and a living saint among us and your 'footprints' will remain on earth for eternity.



My dear Irish friend, until we meet again may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.



Rest in Peace.



Love and Prayers,

I worked with Fr. Mac at the Catholic Charities for the Alcoholism Consultation and Educational Services or ACES as it was called.

One day I was rushed to St. Anthony's hospital with a kidney stone and as busy as he was, he took the time to stop by the hospital late that evening to check on me.

I started to work for Fr. Mac while I was attending St. Patrick's high school and I would walk passed "skid row" and all the flop houses to get to the Catholic Charities, but I was never afraid. I knew Fr. Mac took care of these people and that they wouldn't harm me

God bless you Monsignor McDermitt for all your work and dedication.

You will be missed.

I had the privelige of meeting Mgsr McDermott years ago,he had a tremendous effect upon me. I left him feeling his warmth, kindness and sincerity. He was truly a great man who ministered to others never thinking of himself. I along with so many others will never forget him.

No words, no speeches, no donations
could do justice to this man we all called, Father Mac. I just want to say my life and my families life is better for knowing him.

God Bless you

David Condon
for the Dave Condon family

Thank you Father Mac for making this a better world.



Paul J. Adams

Providence St. Mel School

How blessed my family and I have been to have known Father Mac for so many years. He has always been an inspiration and a "morale builder" through good times and difficult times. I am sure heaven is rejoicing to have you in their midst. We rejoiced to have you for the past years. We had a Saint among us!

As the Chaplain of the Class of "48" at Our Lady of Peace School, I will always feel your impact. Heaven's gain is our loss. You will be forever in my memories and prayers.

We were very fortunate to have met Fr. Iggy. He was a very kind and giving person. The world has lost a great man but he will not be forgotten. Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to all of his family and many friends.

Thank you for your many kindness'! Rest in peace.

The Grannan Family

My uncle, Rev. Francis A. Garrity, was one of Msgr's best friends since "back of the yards" and priesthood days. My father, "Wee" Barry, was also his good friend. My brother Jack Barry and I holds him in prayers of thanksgiving that he is now face to face with his Creator.

Thank you Father Mac for the inspiration, strength and wisdom that you gave me in both my personal and professional lives. I will always be grateful for your resolve in addressing the homeless crisis at O'Hare - particularly helping me convince the airlines to fund the program! Randy and I will always cherish our memories of Sunday mass - 9:00 am sharp - at the Chapel. We will miss you terribly and will forever keep you in our hearts and prayers.

The Monsignor will be missed by many, he was truly a genuine, good natured, and caring man, that knew no human bounderies. I first met "Father Mac" at O'Hare Airport when he established a satellite office of "Haymarket House" which assisted persons that were down on their luck. Father Mac was a compassionate individual, often taking from himself and giving to others. The mere presence of Father Mac and the concept of the Haymarket House at O'Hare Airport was one of the most positive steps in helping mankind, and especially the flying public.

He truly will be missed, and his presence will be felt for years to come.

To the family of "Fr.Mac": Through

our mutual friend, Fr.Ed,it was my

privilege to meet Fr.Mac in 1957.

What a rare and wonderful friendship

this was! And as a fellow White Sox

fan, we talked baseball. When I asked Fr.Mac why he had "Sox04" instead of "Sox01" he told me he wasn't able to get that! He never

forgot my birthday or holidays and

we kept in touch -- he's been a

presence in my life and I will miss that, but I don't grieve - I rejoice that this great soul, this

gentle giant is now with his Lord who he served so well. God bless my friend Fr. Mac. May he rest in peace. Love, Jan

I am sure that Our Lord was holding the gates of heaven open for him when Fr. Mac arrived. We can only invision all the friends that he will meet once again.



May God Bless him, we have truly lost a very dear friend.

Such a wonderful, gentle and kind man! We have known him all our lives!