John Joseph Dooley passed away peacefully at home on September 29th, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.
John was born in the village of Clooneen in Galway, Ireland on May 11th,1936. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Dooley (nee Moran), his daughter Christina “Tina” Gemelli, son-in-law Michael Gemelli, his daughter Peggy Dooley, and his grandchildren Liam, Caroline, Michael and Lily. John’s surviving siblings are Patrick (Paddy Joe) Dooley (Headford, Ireland) and Margaret Brennan (New City, New York). He will be fondly remembered by brothers-In-Law, sisters-In-Law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends both here and in Ireland.
John is predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Celia Dooley, his siblings, Michael “Mick” Dooley, Maria Hanglow, Peter Dooley, Thomas Frank Dooley, Norah “Nonie” Nicosia.
John came to New York City in 1957 welcomed by his aunt and sisters. There he found work as an elevator operator and shortly after as a boiler fireman / school custodian for NYC Public School #2 in the South Bronx. Upon his retirement from PS2, the staff held a banquet to honor his 39 years of service and named the school auditoium after him.
John met Kathleen Moran (formerly of Balinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland) at an Irish Dance and they were married on July 8th, 1967.
The couple bought their first home in Teaneck, N.J. in 1972 on Tilden Avenue where they raised their two daughters. John and his good friend and neighbor Martin Dempsey could be seen chatting as they helped each other with the day’s project, be it yard work, carpentry or tending to their children’s bikes.
In 2003 John and Kathleen moved to New Milford, NJ. Continuing his life of service to others, John could be found every school day ensuring the safety of the children as they crossed the Boulevard.
John and his family are very proud of their Irish heritage and were very active in the Bergen Irish Association (BIA) in Dumont, N.J. John held various posts including Sergeant at Arms and could be found at the BIA on Friday evenings playing a card game with 25 of his good friends. They also enjoyed marching in the annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Bergenfield.
“Up Galway!” was frequently heard when John would cheer on his favorite Irish Football and Hurling teams as they competed each year for the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Cup.
The family is very grateful for the loving care given to John by the entire staff at Holy Name Medical center in Teaneck, N.J. and by his faithful, competent and loving caretakers, Helen, Lenny and Theresa.
Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, October 3rd, 10 AM, St. Joseph R.C. Church, Oradell. Interment Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly. Visiting Friday, October 2nd, 3-7 PM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home, 161 Washington Ave., Dumont. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in John’s memory to Holy Name Medical Center (https://www.holyname.org/help)