Charles R. McDermott

84, with family at his side, Charles passed away peacefully on July 25, 2015 at Canterbury Towers after an extended illness. Known to his family as Charles, his friends and associates called him Chuck. He was born July 30, 1930 in Jackson, Michigan to Richard and Frances (Howland) McDermott. Charles lived a long, successful life. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Clare (McDermott) Tomshack, his brother William McDermott and his nephew Jack Tomshack. Charles is survived by his wife Winifred (Nicholls) McDermott and his six children, John McDermott, Anne McDermott (Sean Jamieson), Elizabeth McDermott (Kevin McGuire), Paul McDermott, Melissa McDermott (Jim Sauer) and Mark (Nicole) McDermott. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ian, Emma and Katherine McDermott, Shannon McGuire and Hayley Sauer, as well as 14 nieces and nephews. Charles grew up on the railroad. His father and maternal grandfather were locomotive engineers in the early 1900s. He never really traveled long distances any other way. Charles was an accomplished athlete. He was quarterback for the football team and the captain of the basketball and baseball teams for St. Mary's High School in Jackson, Michigan. He graduated in 1948. After a couple of years of college, Charles was drafted into the army and did a two year stint as Transportation Corporal at Fort Gordon, GA. Upon 1955 discharge, Charles moved to NYC. This is where he began his career in Finance, his true passion. Chuck began working for American Express and eventually took over their overseas operations. In 1960 he met and married Winifred. They eventually moved to California to work for a new company, Carte Blanche, in 1967 with four of their children. California brought a succession of new events; two more children and a job offer from Telecredit in 1974. Chuck rose through the ranks there, helping to improve and expand the company. He eventually moved his family back to the east coast and established a corporate office in Tampa. In 1985 he was named Senior VP Chief Operating Officer. Telecredit was sold to Equifax in 1991. Chuck retired from Equifax in 1992, but never stopped thinking like a financier. He never missed an opportunity to talk investments with anyone who would participate. Chuck's family would like to express special gratitude to the following people who were at his side when we couldn't be there ourselves. His niece Clare McDermott and grandson Ian McDermott who both put aside their personal lives to spend extended time caring for Charles. The Tom's family - his "Tampa Family", all of the guys from The Rainbow, the clergy and congregation of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, and his friends at Harbour House. There will be a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N. Florida Ave, on Wednesday, July 29th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and/or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Please visit the family’s online guestbook at www.blountcurrymacdill.com