June 2, 2011  

PHILADELPHIA, N.Y.  —  John A. “Jack” Donaghy, 81, of 31669 Route 26, died Wednesday morning, June 1, at his home, under the loving care of his wife, Phyllis, and Hospice of Jefferson County Hospice. 

A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Monday, June 6, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Evans Mills, with Rev. Thomas Kornmeyer, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are with Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville. 

Born Oct. 11, 1929, in the town of Wilna, a son of the late Raymond and Mercelene Jarvis Donaghy, he graduated from Carthage Central School and Canton ATC in 1950. He served in the  Army from 1950 to 1952. He later received his bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies from Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.  

He married Phyllis M. David on June 26, 1954, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Natural Bridge, with Rev. Henry McFadden, officiating. Together, with his wife, operated a dairy farm from 1955 to 1975, and then worked for Farmers Home Administration in Lowville for 17 years, retiring in 1992.  From 1992 to 2004, was a real estate appraiser for Fulton Real Estate Appraisals in Alexandria Bay.  

He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Philadelphia; and was a National Association of Retired Federal Employees and a member of Theresa Senior Citizens.  

He enjoyed operating the farm, taking bus trips and traveling. 

Surviving are his wife of nearly 57 years, Phyllis; five children and their spouses, John D. and Judy Donaghy of Brunswick, Georgia, Cynthia D. and Carl Chermak of Fayetteville, Rosemary L. Beardmore of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Kathryn M. Donaghy of Leland, NC, Ramona E. and Nicholas Brenon of Brownville; nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; several nieces, nephews and cousins.  

A sister, Muriel Gerber, died before him.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY  13601. 

Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.

Information provided by Iseneker Funeral Home of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.