Obituary for John J Kelleher, Jr.
John J. Kelleher Jr.
Middletown, NY.
John J. Kelleher Jr [“Poppy”, “Cadillac John”] passed away on March 27, 2024 at the age of 95.
A lifelong resident of Middletown, NY, he was born on October 30, 1928, the son of Gladys Sutton Kelleher and John Kelleher Sr. He graduated from Middletown High School class of 1946.
John met his future wife, Elizabeth Thoma, while she was completing part of her nursing training in Middletown. They were married on December 1, 1956, at St. Mary’s Church in Nassau, NY. They were married for 64 years. Together they raised four daughters.
John worked a few jobs in the area. He was then offered a Civilian Tech slot under civil service, but had to be a member of the National Guard. He was a Guard member in Btry. A, 170th Artillery, Middletown, NY. He attended the school of Artillery Maintenance in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. His work area was the Newburgh Armory and Fort Drum, New York.
John served with the 170th Artillery, the 156 Artillery, 204th Engineer Bn, and the 42nd Rainbow Division Maintenance Supervisor. He was a Civilian Technician for 30 years, then stayed in the Guard as a Sergeant 1st Class for ten years. He retired after 40 years, 4 months, 15 days. He retired from Federal Employees Chapter 1914. He was a member of the National Association for Uniformed Services and AARP.
A lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Church, John was an usher, Past President of the Holy Name Society, and a member of the Cursillo Community. He was a member of the Orange County Antique Club. “Cadillac John” was very proud of his unrestored 1962 Cadillac [which he had inherited from a former neighbor, John R. Slawson].
John was a devoted father to his four daughters, and a special “Poppy” to his six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
John is survived by his daughters: Patricia Fairchild, Linda Kelleher, Theresa Littner (Thomas), and Madeline Kelleher; grandchildren: Lyndsay Fairchild, Reese Fairchild, Tyler Littner (Isabelle), Cosette Hansen (Ty), Blaise Ferrier (Dylan), and Sarah Neiderer (Luke); and four great grandchildren: Mila, Jett, Charlotte, and Scarlett. He is also survived by his sister in-law, Ruth Bayne Paris; brothers-in-law Michael Thoma Jr and Harold Wagner; as well as several nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his parents; wife, Elizabeth; brother, William Kelleher; sisters-in-law Maureen Kelleher, Marilyn LaCombe, Beverly Wagner; and brothers-in-law Thomas LaCombe and Richard Paris.
Services will be private. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory can be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY, 10940.
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