Published in the September 2, 2016 edition.
NAPLES, Fla. — George Everett McDermott, 90, of Coventry, Conn. and Naples, Fla. passed away on Aug. 30, 2016. He was predeceased by his wife Vi and son Peter. He was born in Stoneham where he lived until the early 1950s when he moved with his family to Connecticut, living in Vernon, Ellington and Coventry.
He is survived by his four children Michael McDermott (Donna), Frank McDermott (Denise), Dawn McDermott and Charles McDermott. Also six grandchildren Shane Jackson (Eric), Peter McDermott, Frank McDermott (Chelsea), Paul McDermott, Danielle McDermott, Jessica McDermott and Theresa DeRiso and three great-grandchildren.
He was employed by Pratt & Whitney during the day and went to night school for many years to get his engineering degree in metallurgy. He was employed by Pratt for many years until they offered a “golden handshake” in 1981. He was delighted! This gave him the opportunity to work with his family at a family-owned and operated golf course, Twin Hills Country Club in Coventry. The course had been under construction for 16 years while family and friends worked to develop it by digging rocks, planting grass, installing irrigation and many other jobs that go into establishing a working golf course. Twin Hills opened in 1971.
In addition to owning Twin Hills, he had the opportunity to purchase Tallwood Country Club in Hebron with his family. Both courses have been owned and operated by George and his family since 1995.
In 1992, he and his wife Vi purchased a condo in Naples, Fla. at Royal Wood Golf and Country Club where they started spending winters. He was very active in the golf community winning The President’s Cup Tournament at Royal Wood in 2013. He had five holes in one during his golfing years. He has won many awards and accolades in the golf community.
His game slowed down over the past few years but his love for golf never wavered. He will continue to be loved and missed by all who knew him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at St. Bernard Church in Rockville, Conn. at 11 a.m. followed by burial at St. Bernard Cemetery, Vernon. There will be no calling hours.
