Stuart Robert Mcdermott

FITCHBURG – Stuart Robert “Bob” McDermott, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on August 26, 1931 in Boston, the son of Stuart J. McDermott and Agnes I. (Kernan) Turcotte. Bob grew up attending schools in Candia, NH & Brookline, MA. He graduated from St Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg.

Bob graduated from Fitchburg State College in 1958 with a BS & MS in Elementary Education and Teaching, and went on to Boston University taking courses in Counseling Psychology. In 1960 he began a 22 year career on the faculty at Fitchburg State College as a teacher and Education Supervisor impacting countless student teachers. He also had the responsibility for managing college instructional materials, films and instructed facility on the use of those resources. In later years, his duties also included that of Treasurer of the Alumni Association and its properties. He taught at and had various responsibilities at five FSC campus schools. He served on the Board of Directors for Adult Education (ALFA) at Fitchburg State University.

In 1949 he started his 40-year career working at General Electric Company for $1 an hour. The following year he was testing turbines and generators on the night shift. At GE, through the years, he held many jobs, the last being planner and purchaser with responsibility to Schenectady. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club of GE, he retired in 1992.

He was a very active member of the community serving as President of the Montachusett Area Exchange Cub. Additionally he served as Secretary and Treasurer of FATV, and volunteered at Our Father’s Table, Fitchburg Historical Society, Serra Club, Postcard Collectors Club, and the Cursillo Movement. He also served as Eucharist Minister at St. Camillus Church for many years.

Bob was an avid collector of a multitude of antiques including postcards, statues, furniture and local memorabilia.

He leaves his wife of 71 years, Jeanette (Doucette) McDermott; two sons, Robert McDermott, of Fitchburg, Scott McDermott of Braintree, VT; two daughters, Judith Sumner of Ashby, Martha Bedard of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Jessica Simpson of Fitchburg, Alida Bedard of Albuquerque, NM, Noah Bedard of Los Gatos, CA, Emily Sumner of Ashby, Kate Killelea of Leominster, Uriah McDermott of Braintree, VT, Zachary McDermott of Braintree, VT, Amanda McDermott of East Concord, VT, Alexander McDermott of Fitchburg, Nicholas McDermott of Reno, NV; great-grandchildren, Abbie Bedard of Fitchburg, Leo Simpson & Susannah Simpson of Ayer, Bode Bedard, Kepler Bedard, Faraday Bedard, Calloway Bedard, Langley Bedard of Los Gatos, CA, Zephyr McDermott, Berkley McDermott, Jonas McDermott, Xavier Daggett of Vermont, Charlotte Killelea, Juliette Killelea of Leominster; great-great-grandchildren, Aiden Jones and James Jones of Fitchburg.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Patricia McDermott, by a son, Douglas McDermott, and by a brother, David Turcotte.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with a Mass at 11 am in St. Bernard Parish at St. Camillus Church, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg. Burial will be private at a later date.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023, from 5 – 7 pm at the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Bob’s memory to the Fitchburg Historical Society, 781 Main St., Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg is directing arrangements. >