Final Patrol: Trooper James D. McDonough
MCDONOUGH, Sr., James Dennis (Dan), age 88, of Brooksville, Florida and Keeseville, New York, passed away on November 14, 2021, in Brooksville, Florida. Dan was born in Whitehall, New York, to Matthew and Marion (Prefontaine) McDonough on July 30, 1933. He attended high school at Keeseville High School and graduated in 1950. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1952 to 1955 and completing a combat tour in Korea receiving Combat action ribbon, Unit Commendation, Good Conduct medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service medal with bronze star, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and Rifle Marksman badge. He went on to earn his diploma in Funeral Services from Simmons School of Embalming in Syracuse, New York, worked as a Funeral Director and owned/operated the McDonough Funeral Home in Willsboro and West Port, New York. He was the first VFW Post Commander in Keeseville, New York, served as a Trooper in the New York State Police and served in multiple law enforcement capacities in Florida retiring as a chief bailiff from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. He earned his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying immensely. He also loved to travel the United States in his RV. Dan was a life member of the Marine Corps. League #708, the Elk Lodge of Spring Hill, the VFW #1505, the American Legion #86, Knights of Columbus-St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, retired NY State Police Association, retired Pasco Sheriff Officer's Association and a life member of the D.A.V. and NARLEO, II. Dan is survived by his spouse, Margaret (Peg) McDonough of Brooksville, Florida; his brothers, Colin McDonough of Keeseville, New York and Michael (Mike) McDonough of Morrisonville, New York; his sisters, Kathleen (Tash) O’Connor of Keeseville, New York and Susan Giroux of Morrisonville, New York; his sons, James (Jim) McDonough of Troy, New York and William (Bill) McDonough of Meridianville, Alabama; and his stepchildren, Jan Kodov of Brooksville, Florida; Scott Conklin of Port Kent, New York; Jeff Conklin of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Mark Conklin of Burnham-on-Sea, England. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Conner McDonough of Charleston, West Virginia; Jordan McDonough of Meridianville, Alabama; Matthew McDonough of Chicago, Illinois; Andrew McDonough of Saratoga Springs, New York and Nicholas McDonough of Nashville, Tennessee; his step grandchildren, Edward Bryant of New Market, Maryland; Christina Luginbuehl of Land O Lakes, Florida; Zoe Conklin of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Geoffrey Conklin of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Danielle Conklin of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania plus several nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his sisters, Mary Ellen (Squeek), Jean, and Patricia, and his son, Scott. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2-5:00pm with a wake service at 4:00pm on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Merritt Funeral Home, Spring Hill chapel. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am Saturday, December 4, 2021 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church with Father Patrick Rebel officiating. Following these arrangements, again at Immaculate Conception Church in Keeseville, New York on December 9, 2021 at 11:00 am with Father Kris Lauzon officiating. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery. Merritt Funeral Home of Spring Hill, Florida, will be handling arrangements in Florida while Hamilton Funeral Home of Peru, New York, will be handling the funeral arrangements for New York. ARRANGEMENTS BY MERRITT FUNERAL HOME SPRING HILL, FLORIDA (352) 686-6649 "Family Owned and Operated" www.merrittfuneral.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Dennis McDonough please visit our Tribute Store.