Former Village of Homer Mayor and Board of Trustee, Michael H. McDermott, passed away on August 30th after a long-standing health battle that originally stemmed from exposure to agent orange. He was 78 years old.
McDermott was the Village of Homer Mayor 2005 to 2011 and was a Board of Trustees member beforehand. He also made history as the first person from Cortland County to serve as the New York State American Legion Commander in the Legion’s 100 plus years from 2019 to 2021.
“Mayor Mike McDermott was a force to be reckoned with in the Village of Homer and beyond. His passionate leadership of both the Village of Homer, as well as his various positions both locally and nationally with the American Legion reflect a man who fought hard for what he believed in. He will be missed.” Village of Homer Mayor Hal McCabe said to X101 News.
He began his military career by joining the US Navy in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1967 and served a year in Vietnam where he worked in communications and intelligence with a Marine support battalion. McDermott was awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, various South Vietnamese awards and the NYS Conspicuous Service Cross and Service Star during his career.
McDermott joined the American Legion in 1980, and served 13 years as the Commander of the Burns-McCauliffe Post 465 in Homer as well as 4 years as Commander of the Cortland County American Legion.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Margaret’s Church, 14 Copeland Ave., Homer, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Joseph Zareski. Interment, with Naval honors, will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, Homer.
Calling hours will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023 at the Donald L. Barber Funeral Home, 5016 US Route 11, Homer, NY 13077.
Memorial contributions in Mr. McDermott’s name may be directed to the Burns-McCauliffe Post 465 American Legion, PO Box 141, Homer, NY 13077.
You can find McDermott’s Obituary below:
